The fallout from Jannik Sinner’s doping case continues to shake the tennis world, and Daniil Medvedev has become the latest star to voice his frustration and disbelief over the controversial WADA settlement.
Sinner, the world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, tested positive for the banned substance clostebol twice in March last year. Yet, after a legal rollercoaster, the Italian managed to escape serious consequences, ultimately accepting a mere three-month suspension—a decision that has left many questioning the integrity of tennis’ anti-doping system.
Medvedev Speaks Out: “Otherwise, It Would Be Weird”
Following his semifinal defeat at the Open 13 Provence, Medvedev didn’t hold back when asked about the Sinner-WADA agreement, delivering a sharp critique of the decision.
“I hope that from now on, if WADA tells you: ‘we found this, it’s two years,’ you answer: ‘no, I want a month’,” the 2021 US Open champion said sarcastically. “I hope it’s a precedent. Otherwise, it would be weird.”
Medvedev’s comments reflect a growing concern among players that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent, opening the door for negotiated doping bans rather than strict, black-and-white enforcement of anti-doping policies.
The WADA Controversy: A “Tailored Deal” for Tennis’ Biggest Star?
The Sinner doping saga has been one of the most contentious scandals in recent tennis history. Initially, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled that Sinner bore no fault for testing positive, citing his legal team’s argument that a member of his coaching staff had used a medicated cream containing clostebol.
However, WADA wasn’t satisfied and escalated the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), demanding a two-year suspension—a punishment that would have kept Sinner off the court until 2026.
Instead, after months of uncertainty, the case reached an unexpected resolution:
“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirms that it has entered into a case resolution agreement in the case of Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, with the player accepting a three-month period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation that led to him testing positive for clostebol, a prohibited substance, in March 2024.”
The leniency of the punishment—especially compared to other doping cases—has fueled outrage across the sport.
Medvedev Joins the Backlash: A Sport in Crisis?
Medvedev is far from the only one raising alarm bells. The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has already condemned the lack of transparency in the ruling, pointing out the inconsistencies between Sinner’s case and those of Simona Halep, Dan Evans, Nicolas Jarry, and Beatriz Haddad Maia, who all faced significantly harsher penalties.
With Medvedev now adding his voice to the growing list of critics, the pressure is mounting for WADA and the ATP to clarify their decision-making process.
What’s Next for Medvedev and Sinner?
As Medvedev continues to struggle with his own form, losing in the Marseille semifinals to Hamad Medjedovic, Sinner will be back in action by May 4, conveniently just in time for Roland Garros.
If Medvedev’s frustration is any indication, this controversy is far from over—and tennis’ fight for fairness in anti-doping policies may only just be beginning.
