"How much can they rob Novak Djokovic" - Fans of Serb claim World No. 1 discrepancy after Jannik Sinner’s doping verdict, call out 'tennis corruption'

Jannik Sinner continuing his 2024 campaign on tour while he was under investigation for failed drug tests has sparked a controversy among the tennis fraternity. Fans of Novak Djokovic have lashed out at the 'tennis corruption' as they highlight a perceived discrepancy in the Italian's verdict.

Sinner had tested positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, in his urine sample during the Indian Wells Masters. However, the substance was found in very small amounts, less than a billionth of a gram, which was deemed not performance-enhancing by International Tennis Integrity Agency.

The Italian has stated that he was exposed to the substance via his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi's bare-handed body massages, who had used a healing spray for a cut on his finger, accidentally exposing Sinner to Clostebol in the process.

However, the verdict and the investigation being kept under wraps have made a lot of people angry. Fans of Djokovic, especially, have pointed out that if the Italian would have faced suspension, then the Serb would've held the World No. 1 ranking.

"If Jannik Sinner had been suspended during the investigation, like many players have been in the past, Novak would still be ranked #1. That is a mathematical fact. Adding this to all the previous robberies, Novak would probably be at 500 weeks as #1," one said.

"Fact. FFS how much can they rob from Novak Djokovic? If they can remove Sinner points and prize money, remove his weeks at 1! I am absolutely FURIOUS with the @atptour," another said.

"Novak accidentally hit a lineswoman for which there was video evidence and he was defaulted instantly. Sinner tested positive twice for doping and the ATP did nothing, kept it under wraps and allowed Sinner to keep playing. Tennis is so corrupt!!!" a third fan said.

However, some felt that the Serb's fan base tries to make every tennis story about Djokovic.

"A nuclear war could be breaking out and this fanbase would try to make it about djokovic," a fan said.

"Once again the World is against Djokovic even though the subject matter has nothing to do it with him," another said.

"Your children crying from hunger and u out here making up scenario. pay the damn water bills," yet another said.

Sinner's coach Darren Cahill has also clarified that Sinner didn't knowingly consume any substance to enhance his performance.

---

Coach Darren Cahill explains Jannik Sinner's ordeal

Jannik Sinner won the Cincinnati Masters (Image Source: Getty)

Darren Cahill, in a recent interview with ESPN, gave an explanation of the situation and said:

"Jannik Sinner – everybody has to know – he had no part in this at all. Somehow, he’s tested positive through this connection with this particular spray, we don’t know how – working on his feet, massage."

"He’s been one who’s suffered through this the most," Cahill added. "I take my hat off to him that he’s been able to post some of the results that he has. But there have been days where you can see that he’s physically and emotionally been challenged on the court."

After winning the Cincinnati Open, Jannik Sinner will head to the 2024 US Open where he will joined by Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, among others.