"What happened to him would never had happened to Novak Djokovic" - ATP star on Jannik Sinner's doping controversy

After it was announced that World No.1 Jannik Sinner had failed two doping tests in March of this year, former doubles No.1 Nicolas Mahut believes the miscommunication on the Italian's part would not have happened to 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

It was revealed last month by the International Tennis Integrity Agency that Sinner would not receive a ban for violating the anti-doping policy in March after an independent tribunal ruled he was not to blame. The Italian tested positive for low levels of clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid in March 2024. However, the tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance had entered his body during a massage from his physio, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on their finger.

In an appearance on Eurosport, Mahut weighed in on the case, stating Djokovic's team would not have permitted such a mistake to occur.

"If you ask me, I think he didn’t try to cheat, began Mahut. "Yes, there was negligence. But I think what happened to him would never have happened to Novak Djokovic.
“Let me explain. A doubles player (Marco Bortolotti) found himself in the same situation as Sinner. He appealed, he was not suspended and he was cleared. The product is an over-the-counter product in Italy. So his team is aware of it. Sinner should have been informed that there was a product of this type in his entourage and if he used it, the physiotherapist should have washed his hands and put on gloves.
“And in my opinion, it would never have happened to a player like Novak because he would have been informed. There was negligence on the part of Sinner’s team. Internal communication, within his team, was very poor.
"There was a lack of attention because other players tested positive for this product and today he finds himself in this situation. It is possible that he is innocent but suspended for negligence.”