Rafael Nadal (right) defended Jannik Sinner. © APA/afp / CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT

Nadal defends Sinner: “Belief in justice”

Tennis great Rafael Nadal has come to the defense of Jannik Sinner.

September 03, 2024

From: dpa/dl

The number one in the tennis world rankings was acquitted by an independent court in March shortly before the US Open after two positive tests for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol. Nadal, who is currently taking a break due to his fitness problems, said: "In the end, justice is justice, and I believe in justice."

"I have one virtue or one flaw. That is that in the end I always believe in people's good faith. I know Sinner, I don't think he ever wanted to dope," said Nadal on the Spanish talk show El Hormiguero on Monday. He trusts the committees that made this decision, said the 38-year-old.

“I know Sinner, I don’t think he ever wanted to dope” Rafael Nadal

Sinner had stated that the banned substance had accidentally entered his body during a massage. Afterwards, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) was criticized for applying double standards in the South Tyrolean's case. In similar cases involving less prominent players, provisional bans have been imposed in the past. Novak Djokovic said: "I understand the players' frustration because there is a lack of consistency."

Nadal also shows understanding

Nadal does not see any favoritism towards Sinner: "I believe in that and I am convinced of it. But I also respect the opinion of others." Sinner is now in the quarterfinals of the US Open. Early on Tuesday morning (CEST) he beat the American Tommy Paul 7:6(3),7:6(5),6:1 (SportNews reported).