Toni Nadal has claimed that some players aren’t so ‘clean’ while discussing Sinner’s doping case (Image: Getty)
’s uncle has called out other tennis players in the wake of ’s doping ban.
The Italian recently in a case resolution agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, bringing his doping saga to an end.
A few other players have been quick to criticise the world No. 1, but Toni Nadal claimed some were “not very clean” themselves.
WADA recently announced that Sinner had accepted a three-month ban, running from February 9 to May 4, with credit given for four days he served as part of provisional suspensions last year.
The Italian twice tested positive for the prohibited substance clostebol last March but he was allowed to keep playing as he successfully appealed his provisional suspensions.
Sinner argued that he was unknowingly contaminated via his then-physiotherapist, and an independent tribunal held in August accepted this explanation, ruling that he “bore no fault or negligence” and would not be receiving a ban.
WADA appealed on the basis that Sinner bears some responsibility for negligence in his entourage. The Court of Arbitration for Sport was set to hear the appeal in April, but WADA and Sinner entered a case resolution agreement earlier this month.
Jannik Sinner accepted a three-month suspension in a case resolution agreement with WADA (Image: Getty)
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The world No. 1 accepted a three-month ban, and WADA noted that they accepted Sinner did not intend to cheat, that he was unknowingly exposed to the prohibited substance, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit.
However, some players weren’t happy. Three-time Major winner Stan Wawrinka claimed that anymore.” Nick Kyrgios – vocal throughout Sinner’s case –
But Toni Nadal has now hit back at those criticising Sinner, making a shocking claim that some other players are not “clean”.
Addressing the backlash Sinner received, Nadal’s uncle and former coach told : “I’m surprised that different players have positioned themselves against it, even some at the highest level and some who are not very clean.”
The Mallorcan tennis coach also disagreed with the punishment imposed on Sinner. “I’ve already said it many times and explained it, I’m against the sanction,” Toni continued.
“I know Sinner personally and he had no intention of committing a crime and you can’t treat a person like that for a mistake that happened by chance.
“It can’t be that you have that desire to supervise and sanction. You have to sanction someone who intentionally does things wrong and is looking for their own benefit. And I know that’s not the case with Sinner.
“I know that he didn’t benefit from what they found. So why do you want to sanction him? It’s true that they say that others who aren’t No. 1 were sanctioned because they did wrong before.”
Sinner has so far been keeping busy during his suspension, turning to other sports like golf. He also attended Gucci’s Fall/Winter fashion show in Milan this week. He will return in time for the Masters 1000 in Rome and the French Open.