Novak Djokovic, on the verge of his return to competitive tennis, has addressed recent high-profile doping cases. He has also expressed concerns about perceived inconsistencies in how these cases are handled within the sport. Djokovic aims to secure a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at the upcoming Australian Open.
Djokovic, the top seed at the Brisbane International, is competing in the tournament for the first time since 2009. He will also partner with Australian player Nick Kyrgios in the doubles competition, with their match scheduled for Monday.
Beyond his on-court preparations, Djokovic echoed Kyrgios’s earlier criticisms regarding the doping case involving world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
“I’m not questioning whether (Sinner) took the banned substance intentionally or not,”
Djokovic shared his perspective during a press conference in Brisbane. He highlighted the discrepancy in treatment between players.
“We’ve had plenty of players in the past and currently under suspension for not even testing positive to banned substances.”
He further emphasized the lengthy delays some players face while waiting for their cases to be resolved.
“Some players with lower rankings waiting for their case to be resolved for over a year. I’ve been really frustrated … to see we’ve been kept in the dark for at least five months ( on the Sinner case ).”
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) brought anti-doping charges against both Sinner and former women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek earlier this year.
Sinner, who tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March, avoided a ban. The ITIA ruled that he was not at fault, a decision that the World Anti-Doping Agency is currently appealing.
Swiatek received a one-month suspension in November after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine.
Djokovic criticized the lack of openness from tennis authorities concerning doping violations. He questioned the handling of various cases, including those of Simona Halep and Iga Swiatek.
“The ATP hasn’t really talked in depth about it. Why have they kept that case away from the public? We see Simona Halep’s case on the WTA Tour, now Iga Swiatek’s case,”
Djokovic expressed his concerns about the impact of these cases on the sport’s image. He also questioned the potential influence of ranking and financial resources on the outcomes of doping cases.
“It’s not a good image for our sport. I’m just questioning the way the system works and why certain players aren’t treated the same as others. Maybe some ranking reasons are behind it, or some players have more financial backing and stronger legal teams to tackle these cases.”
Despite these concerns, Djokovic remains focused on the upcoming season. After recovering from knee surgery, he reached the Wimbledon final but missed the ATP Finals. Sinner won his eighth title at that event, concluding a successful season.
Djokovic aims to add to his impressive record at the Australian Open, where he has won ten titles. He has enlisted former rival Andy Murray to coach him for the tournament.
“It’s strange for me to share all these kinds of insights about how I feel on the court, some of the secrets of what I’m going through, what I’m thinking about, how I see my game, with somebody who has been one of my top rivals,”
Djokovic acknowledged the unusual dynamic of working with a former competitor but expressed his appreciation for Murray’s commitment.
“But I’m so glad and very thankful that he has accepted to work with me, and in Australia … he’s very meticulous, dedicated, and professional.”