Daniil Medvedev is the latest tennis star to weigh in on the controversial resolution of Jannik Sinner’s doping case, questioning whether the decision sets a fair precedent for future cases.
Sinner’s three-month suspension, handed down after a prolonged investigation into his positive test for clostebol at the 2025 Indian Wells Open, has sparked outrage across the tennis world. While the suspension was settled out of court through negotiations between Sinner and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Medvedev isn’t convinced that the process was fair or transparent.
Medvedev: “I Hope This Becomes the Norm”
Speaking after his semifinal defeat in Marseille, Medvedev didn’t hold back, implying that if Sinner was allowed to negotiate his suspension, then other players should be afforded the same privilege.
“I hope that from now on, everyone can talk to WADA, and if they tell you: ‘We found this, it’s been two years,’ you answer: ‘No, I want one month.’ I hope it will set a precedent. Otherwise, it would be strange.”
The Russian’s frustration is shared by many players, who feel the situation exposes an inconsistency in how doping cases are handled. Many past offenders had no opportunity to negotiate their bans, enduring lengthy court battles and career-damaging suspensions.
Growing Backlash: Kyrgios, PTPA, and Players React
Medvedev isn’t alone in his concerns. Nick Kyrgios, never one to mince words, went a step further, calling it a “sad day for the sport” and arguing that any player testing positive for doping should face an automatic two-year ban.
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA)—co-founded by Novak Djokovic—has also slammed the process, claiming it exposes favoritism and a lack of consistency in tennis governance.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios has hinted that other ATP players are fuming behind closed doors.
“I know a lot of players are furious about this, but they’re afraid to speak out.”
While WADA and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) both accepted that Sinner accidentally ingested the banned substance, many players remain skeptical about whether the Italian was treated differently due to his rising status in the sport.
Will Fans Welcome Sinner Back?
Sinner will be eligible to return at the Italian Open on May 4, where he will undoubtedly receive overwhelming home support. However, it remains to be seen how he will be received on the global stage.
With Medvedev, Kyrgios, and the PTPA raising red flags, this controversy is far from over. The real question now: Will WADA apply the same leniency to future cases, or was this a one-time deal for one of the sport’s biggest rising stars?
One thing is clear—the tennis world is watching closely.
