Roger Federer recently commented on the controversy surrounding Jannik Sinner’s participation in the 2024 US Open despite testing positive for clostebol, a banned substance, earlier in the year. Federer expressed his belief that Sinner did not intentionally violate any rules but raised concerns about the process that allowed Sinner to continue competing while the investigation was ongoing. The inconsistency of not suspending Sinner until the matter was fully resolved was a key issue for Federer, who called for greater transparency and fairness in handling doping cases.
Sinner tested positive for clostebol in March 2024, following contamination from a member of his support team. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted his explanation and ruled that he bore “no fault or negligence.” However, the case sparked debate within the tennis community, with some players and observers questioning why Sinner was allowed to compete without facing suspension【7†source】【9†source】.
Federer acknowledged the emotional and psychological toll that such allegations can have on athletes, noting the constant pressure they face regarding anti-doping tests. Despite his concerns, he emphasized the importance of trusting the process but highlighted that the perceived inconsistency in Sinner’s case needs to be addressed to ensure that all players are treated equally【8†source】【9†source】.