Novak Djokovic has broken his silence regarding the controversial doping suspension served by fellow tennis star Jannik Sinner, describing the situation as 'very odd' and predicting it will haunt the Italian's career for years to come.
The 'Very Odd' Case and Lack of Transparency
Speaking on Wednesday 12 November 2025, the Serbian tennis legend expressed significant concerns about how Sinner's case was managed by the authorities. Sinner tested positive twice for the anabolic agent clostebol in March 2024, a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Despite the two positive tests, the World Anti-Doping Agency ultimately accepted Sinner's explanation that the exposure was inadvertent. Djokovic, however, has publicly questioned this outcome, pointing to a perceived lack of transparency and inconsistency in the application of the rules. The 24-time Grand Slam champion went as far as to suggest that Sinner may have received preferential treatment, a serious allegation in the high-stakes world of professional sport.
A Shadow Over a Career
Drawing from his own tumultuous experiences, Djokovic made a poignant comparison between the lasting impact of Sinner's ban and his own high-profile deportation from Australia in 2022 over his Covid-19 vaccination status. He believes that, much like his own ordeal, the three-month doping suspension will 'follow Sinner like a cloud' throughout the remainder of his professional life, casting a long shadow over his achievements on the court.
This kind of stigma, Djokovic implied, can be difficult for any athlete to shake, regardless of the official outcome or the accepted explanation for the positive test.
Criticism Tempered with Empathy
While his criticisms of the anti-doping process were pointed and clear, Djokovic's comments were not without sympathy for his younger rival. He expressed a genuine empathy for Sinner, acknowledging the immense pressure and intense media scrutiny that accompanies such a scandal.
Djokovic also made a point to praise the Italian for the mature manner in which he has handled the relentless media attention since the ban was announced and served earlier this year. This nuanced take shows Djokovic's complex perspective, balancing his issues with the system's handling of the case with compassion for the individual athlete caught within it.
