Andrea Petkovic ripped the Jannik Sinner doping ban as “a political choice” because the 2014 French Open semifinalist suggests the WADA got here to the conclusion that the Italian did not cheat however they wanted him suspended simply to keep away from a backlash and probably ship a message.
Because it was revealed that the WADA settled with the world No. 1 on a three-month ban and that the 23-year-old can be out of motion between February ninth – Might 4th, there was numerous in regards to the three-time Grand Slam winner receiving “a preferential therapy.”
Earlier than they agreed on a three-month suspension, Sinner was slated to seem in a CAS court docket in mid-April and he was in peril of being suspended for a yr or two.
And after the WADA agreed to settle and gave up on their preliminary hope of getting a 1-2 yr suspension for the Italian, some have been questioning what prompted the anti-doping company to have a change of coronary heart.
“I believe it has nuance, it is a political choice, no one is pleased with it, sure there was negotiation however there was nuance once they (WADA) determined he did not cheat, they did not know who he was,” Petkovic stated on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
“Now, they know who he was and that is why he was in a position to negotiate.
“As a result of if WADA messes up on this one with Jannik Sinner, who was the No. 1 participant on the earth, received a number of Grand Slams, everybody on the earth is speaking about it.”
Petkovic: They banned Sinner as a result of they did not need different gamers blaming their workforce members
After making her level clear, the previous world No. 9 highlighted that the WADA evidently decided that the 23-year-old did not knowingly or deliberately take a banned substance.
Then, she laid out a really fascinating principle.
“Why are we banning the child? This child did not cheat, we consider his story, why are we banning him?” the German added.
“I believe as a result of they realized in the event that they let this slide, each participant any longer will say, ‘However it was a member of my workforce.’ After which they’re in actual s—.”
In the meantime, the WADA did certainly say of their assertion that they accepted Sinner’s clarification that his physio was accountable for what occurred but in addition added they wished him banned as a result of their perception was that each participant needs to be additionally chargeable for the errors of his workforce.
