Rafael Nadal defends Jannik Sinner in doping saga: “I 100% believe he’s innocent”

Rafael Nadal once again shared his opinion on the Jannik Sinner doping saga, stating that he does not believe there was any special treatment for the current World No. 1. The Spaniard was recently honoured at the Laureus World Sports Awards, receiving the prestigious ‘Sporting Icon Award’. Nadal had previously won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award twice.

After the tributes received during the ceremony, Rafa Nadal spoke to the press, and one of the unavoidable topics was the current state of tennis and the high-profile case involving Jannik Sinner’s positive doping test, which ultimately resulted in a three-month suspension from competition.

The 23-year-old Italian has proclaimed his innocence from the beginning, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) concluded that he bore no fault or negligence, initially sparing him from suspension back in August 2024. Shortly after, however, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced it would appeal the ruling, seeking to impose a ban of one to two years. Yet just days before the hearing, WADA and Sinner reached a settlement, resulting in a three-month ban, thereby avoiding a more severe sanction in court.

Although Sinner tested positive in March, he was allowed to compete throughout the 2024 season, and in 2025, he managed to play the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, before serving his suspension. He is now scheduled to return at the Rome Open next week, just in time to intensify his preparation for Roland Garros. Moreover, thanks to his substantial lead in the rankings over his competitors — along with inconsistent performances from players like Alcaraz and Zverev — Sinner is expected to return still holding the World No. 1 spot.

Whether or not Sinner received preferential treatment has been the subject of much discussion among players on the tour. This time, however, it was 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal who weighed in on the matter.

"First of all, I 100% believe that Jannik is innocent,” Nadal said in an interview with CNN. “I don’t think at all that Jannik wanted to do something that is not allowed, so I 100% believe in Jannik. From my point of view, I really don’t believe that Jannik, just because he’s the No. 1 in the world, received different treatment than another person — from my perspective and from my understanding.”

"I really believe in the process. I’ve been undergoing testing for 20 years. Things are extremely strict, down to every little movement... and I believe in the system. I can’t say or think anything different, because if I did, I would be admitting that we don’t live in a fair world — and I truly believe we do, at least in this matter," said the former World No. 1.

Sinner’s suspension will end this Sunday, May 4, and as the top seed at the Rome Open, his return to the court is expected on Thursday or Friday next week.