Denis Shapovalov and other tennis players have expressed frustration over perceived double standards in the sport following the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) decision to clear world No. 1 Jannik Sinner of any wrongdoing despite his two positive drug tests this year. The ITIA announced on Tuesday that an independent tribunal had found Sinner's explanation credible and allowed him to continue competing. Shapovalov voiced his dissatisfaction on social media, questioning the fairness of the outcome and suggesting that Sinner may have received preferential treatment.
Sinner tested positive for the banned substance clostebol at Indian Wells in March, with trace amounts found in a subsequent test. Despite the positive tests, the 23-year-old Italian successfully challenged the provisional suspensions imposed on him. He will now be eligible to compete in the upcoming US Open, although he has already lost 400 ranking points and $325,000 in prize money as a result of the incident.
Criticism of the decision extends beyond Shapovalov, with British player Liam Broady and former British doubles No. 1 Tara Moore also expressing concerns. Broady questioned the fairness of the process, noting that many players face prolonged wait times for their cases to be resolved, while Moore highlighted the disparity between her own case and Sinner's, suggesting that the treatment of top players differs significantly.
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has called for a more consistent approach to anti-doping violations, emphasizing that all players, regardless of ranking, should be subject to the same standards. The ITIA's decision, which remains open to appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency or the Italian Anti-Doping Agency, has also drawn criticism from Australian Nick Kyrgios, who argued that any player testing positive for a banned substance should face a more severe penalty.
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