Tim Henman has spoken out on Jannik Sinner’s doping punishment (Image: Getty / Sky Sports)
believes that ‘s three-month doping ban has left a ‘sour taste’ for the tennis community.
Men’s world No. 1 Sinner twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol last year but he was not suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), who accepted that it had entered his bloodstream due to a steroid cream being used by his physio.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed that verdict and were seeking a two-year ban for Sinner. But on Saturday it was announced that an agreement had been reached over a suspension period of three months. Luckily for the Italian, he will return in May without having missed a single Grand Slam tournament.
Four-time semi-finalist Henman believes it has worked out a little too conveniently for Sinner. “A couple of cases have sent shockwaves through tennis,” he told .
“Obviously, Sinner has had this cloud over his head, [Iga] Swaitek tested positive, so two of the best players in the world – one in the men’s, one in the women’s – have had drug cases.
“With Sinner’s, I don’t think in any way he has been trying to cheat at any stage. However, when I read the statement this morning, it just seems a little bit too convenient.
Jannik Sinner will be back in action before the start of the French Open (Image: Getty)
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“There are words like ‘agreement’. It almost seems like there’s been a negotiation, and having just won the , to miss three months of the tour and therefore be eligible to play at Roland Garros, the timing couldn’t have been any better for Sinner. I still think it leaves a pretty sour taste for the sport. It’s just a bit too convenient for me right now.”
Sinner has not played since winning the for a second consecutive year in January. That was the 23-year-old’s third Grand Slam title, and there could be more to come by the end of the season with the French Open, and the US Open on the horizon.
His suspension period officially started on February 9 and will run until May 4 – three weeks before the start of the French.
Nick Kyrgios has called for a harsher punishment since the saga began, and like Henman, he was troubled by Saturday’s announcement.
“Obviously, Sinner’s team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a three-month ban,” he wrote on . “No titles lost, no prize money lost. Guilty or not? Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist.”