Jessica Pegula has slammed the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the inconsistency in how tennis doping cases are handled, calling the process “completely broken.” The American star expressed frustration over how WADA settled Jannik Sinner’s doping case, arguing that players no longer trust the system and that anti-doping authorities hold too much power over careers.
The No. 5-ranked American joins a growing chorus of voices—including Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic’s Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA)—questioning the integrity and fairness of tennis’ anti-doping regulations.
‘The Process Just Seems to Be Completely Made Up’
Pegula, who is competing at the Dubai Championships, did not hold back when discussing WADA’s decision to resolve Sinner’s case with a three-month suspension rather than pursuing its initial appeal for a one-to-two-year ban.
“My reaction is that, whether you think he did or you don’t, or whatever side you’re on, the process just seems to be completely like not a process,” Pegula told The National.
“It seems to just kind of be whatever decisions and factors they take into consideration, and they just kind of make up their own ruling.”
Pegula believes this lack of consistency is deeply unfair to athletes, who could be subjected to harsher punishments based on unpredictable factors.
“I don’t really understand how that’s fair for athletes, how it’s fair for players when there’s just so much inconsistency and you have no idea what to expect.”
Pegula: ‘They Have So Much Power to Ruin Someone’s Career’
The 29-year-old former WTA Finals runner-up fears that anti-doping authorities hold unchecked power to derail athletes’ careers, even in cases of accidental contamination—as seen in the recent doping scandals involving Sinner and Iga Swiatek.
“If you’re clean or not, the process is completely broken,” she added. “I think it needs to be seriously looked at and considered. I feel like they have so much power to ruin someone’s career, as well.”
Pegula made it clear that players no longer trust the system.
“I don’t think any of the players trust the process at all right now. Zero. It’s just a horrible look for the sport.”
‘No Rhyme or Reason’: Pegula Questions WADA’s Sudden Case Settlement
Many were shocked when WADA suddenly settled the case with Sinner, despite previously pushing for a lengthy suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Pegula, however, wasn’t surprised—because, in her view, there has been no consistent logic to past anti-doping rulings.
“There seems to be no rhyme or reason for whatever they decide. So I’m not really shocked that all of a sudden it’s a settlement, because that’s kind of what they’ve been doing. It doesn’t seem to make sense for anything.”
“So, I can’t say I’m completely surprised, but I’m sure they’ll come up with another reason for how that happened.”
Growing Backlash: Kyrgios, Djokovic, and PTPA Speak Out
Pegula isn’t the only one calling out WADA’s handling of the Sinner case.
- Nick Kyrgios called it a “dark day for tennis,” questioning the double standards in how high-profile players are treated compared to lower-ranked athletes.
- The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA)—co-founded by Novak Djokovic—released a strongly worded statement, directly accusing anti-doping agencies of bias and demanding change.
- Many fans have also voiced concerns that lower-ranked players have historically received harsher punishments for similar cases.
The Fallout: Will Tennis Reform Its Anti-Doping Policies?
While Sinner will now return to action in May, the public backlash over his case resolution isn’t fading anytime soon. Pegula’s comments highlight growing concerns among players, coaches, and analysts about the lack of transparency in anti-doping rulings.
Will this pressure force WADA and the ITIA to introduce reforms? Or will the controversy surrounding tennis’ anti-doping system continue to grow?
One thing is certain: this issue isn’t going away anytime soon.
