Andy Roddick recently shared his thoughts on the doping controversies surrounding Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner, while also criticizing other players who have voiced their disapproval.
The tennis community was taken aback by the cases involving Sinner and Swiatek, with many players expressing anger over what they perceived as unfair treatment compared to others accused of doping.
In August, Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine and faced a temporary suspension starting September 12th. However, she successfully contested it by proving that a non-prescription medicine she used was contaminated with the substance.
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Swiatek’s Suspension and Sinner’s Dilemma:
Swiatek, a four-time French Open winner, accepted a one-month ban but had already served most of it during her provisional suspension from September 12th to October 4th. Meanwhile, Sinner hoped his troubles were over after being cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency following a five-month investigation into his positive test for clostebol.
However, Sinner’s relief was short-lived as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged the decision to clear him. They are pushing for a ban of one to two years, and now it’s up to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to decide in 2025. Fans might wonder if this is fair or just another twist in an endless saga.
On an episode of “Served with Andy Roddick,” Roddick questioned how Sinner could avoid suspension when Swiatek received one month. He pointed out that while Swiatek unknowingly bought contaminated medicine, in Sinner’s case, it was his physio who used a spray containing clostebol during massages.
Roddick expressed interest in how precedents are set: “They will say the precedent was set that she (Swiatek) was suspended for a month.” He wondered if WADA feels compelled to act similarly towards Sinner come February 11th at their hearing.
Roddick further commented on whether Sinner knowingly took part in wrongdoing: “I don’t think he knew… Best player on earth and worst doper that’s ever lived? Maybe.”
Nick Kyrgios has been vocal against both players’ situations; Eugenie Bouchard sided with him too. Yet Roddick criticized those who judged champions like Swiatek and Sinner without achieving similar success themselves: “Players chirping about these champions… it’s all just like I kind of roll my eyes.”
What do you think about these cases? Do you agree with Roddick or those criticizing?
