The 43-year-old Roger Federer, who ended his career in 2022, says in an American TV program that Jannik Sinner's doping case raises questions since the Italian was not banned during the doping investigation. He tested positive for an anabolic steroid twice in March.
I understand the frustration, has he been treated the same way as others? says Federer.
I think that's exactly what it's about. We may not think he did anything, but the inconsistency – that he wasn't banned – I think that's the question that needs to be answered.
Sinner's explanation for testing positive for clostebol was that he accidentally ingested the substance during a massage, as the physiotherapist had treated an injury with a medium containing the banned substance.
It's a tough situation and a nightmare for every active athlete and team with these accusations and problems. We need to be able to trust the process and those involved, says Federer, who is back at Flushing Meadows, where he won five US Open titles in a row from 2004 to 2008, but now as a spectator.
Even the Serbian world number two Novak Djokovic has been critical of tennis's anti-doping rules in light of the Sinner case.
I understand that players get frustrated because there is no continuity. I understand if multiple players question whether everyone is being treated the same way. There needs to be a change, said Djokovic before the US Open.
Sinner faces Russian world number five Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals of the US Open on Wednesday night, Swedish time.
