'Convinced' Rafael Nadal comes out in support of Jannik Sinner

Former world number one Rafael Nadal has stated that he is ready to ‘bet’ his life that Italy’s Jannik Sinner did not take any drugs intentionally. The 23-year-old has had a rough time off the court ever since he tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in two doping tests in March last year.

The reigning world number one managed to escape any ban as the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) declared him innocent following a detailed hearing. His counsel claimed that the substance was available in the player’s sample because he came in close contact with his physio, Naldi, who used to spray him for the treatment of a cut on his finger.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed against the ITIA’s verdict in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and demanded a two-year ban for the three-time Grand Slam winner. However, the issue finally concluded as WADA announced that they had reached an agreement with Sinner, which saw him stay out of action for three months. His ban ended just days before the start of the Rome Open, where he finished as the runner-up after losing to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-1.

The deal was heavily criticised by members of the tennis community who demanded equal treatment for all players. However, the former world number one Nadal has recently spoken to French publication L’Equipe, where he backed the reigning world number one by stating he is sure that the three-time Grand Slam winner did not take any performance-enhancing drugs intentionally. The 22-time Grand Slam winner also said that while he trusts Sinner, he also trusts the justice system.

“(I’m) totally convinced that Jannik never intended to cheat or do anything illegal,” he said. “I’m convinced of it, I’d bet my life on it. There’s always a lot of noise around this kind of thing, and when it happens, it’s bad for everyone. For him, who, I think, went through a nightmare for a year. Obviously, for tennis, this kind of thing is negative.” I trust Jannik. But, just as I trust Jannik, I also trust the justice system. I don’t like to give my opinion on things I don’t know. So I understand that when the justice system makes decisions, it’s because it has all the necessary information that we don’t have.”