"Why have they kept that case away from the public?": Novak Djokovic frustrated by being 'kept in the dark' by doping drama

ATP
Sunday, 29 December 2024 at 14:38
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Novak Djokovic will embark on yet another season and will finally aim to claim Grand Slam no.25 starting at the Australian Open. But like his doubles partner in Brisbane in Nick Kyrgios, he has lamented being kept in the dark by the doping drama that has engulfed the sport in recent months.

Djokovic who has a hand in the PTPA which aims to give players better representation in particular has lamented why the lower ranked players have to wait ages to have their cases heard and those with a higher status do not.

He also added that he doesn't get why people get kept in the dark about these cases and how they are swept under the rug for a number of months before being confirmed. Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek in particular tested positive months before their cases were made public.

"I'm not questioning whether (Sinner) took the banned substance intentionally or not," he said on Sunday prior to the Brisbane International.

"We've had plenty of players in the past and currently under suspension for not even testing positive to the banned substances.

"Some players with lower rankings waiting for their case to be resolved for over a year.

"I've been really frustrated ... to see we've been kept in the dark for at least five months (on the Sinner case). The ATP hasn't really talked in depth about it. Why have they kept that case away from the public?

"We see Simona Halep's case on the WTA Tour, now Iga Swiatek's case. It's not a good image for our sport.

"I'm just questioning the way the system works and why certain players aren't treated the same as others. Maybe some ranking reasons are behind it or some players have more financial backing and stronger legal teams to tackle these cases."