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Rafael Nadal is throwing his full support behind Jannik Sinner as the world number one prepares to make his tennis return at the Rome Masters following a three-month doping ban.
believes Sinner is innocent of any wrongdoing, stating, “I 100% believe in Jannik.” Nadal is convinced that the Italian player did not intentionally violate any rules, pointing out that Sinner didn’t “want to do something that is not allowed.”
This confidence in Sinner comes despite controversy surrounding the ban. The doping case arose after Sinner tested positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid. However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled that the contamination was accidental and caused by a physio’s use of an over-the-counter spray. Nadal, who has been part of the tennis world for over 20 years, expressed his unwavering trust in the judicial process. He shared, “I believe in justice. They have all the information we probably don’t have.”
Nadal also responded to criticism surrounding anti-doping protocols, with some players, like Serena Williams, arguing that top stars are treated differently. While Sinner faced his suspension, Williams mentioned the possibility of a much harsher punishment had she been in his shoes. Nadal, however, doesn’t think that Sinner received special treatment because of his status. He said, “From my point of view, I really don’t believe that Jannik…received different treatment than another person.”
Despite the issues raised by others in the sport, Nadal’s faith in the anti-doping system remains strong. Having gone through rigorous testing throughout his career, Nadal is confident in the fairness of the process. He said, “I really believe that we are in a fair world in this matter.” As Sinner gears up for his comeback, Nadal’s belief in him gives the young star a major boost as he looks to move past the controversy.
