"I don’t believe Jannik Sinner is guilty" - Mark Petchey denies "double standards" in Italian avoiding ban despite 2 failed drug tests

Jannik Sinner's avoidance of a ban despite failing two drug tests has become a bone of contention in the tennis community. Mark Petchey has also weighed in, expressing his belief that the World No. 1 did not dope intentionally and dismissing any claims of double standards in his treatment.

In a shocking development on Thursday, August 20, it came to light that Sinner failed two drug tests during his campaign at the Indian Wells Masters in March. Although the 23-year-old tested positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, on two occasions, eight days apart, he avoided the provisional suspension by successfully appealing both charges. This allowed him to continue competing while an independent tribunal reviewed his case.

The World No. 1 was cleared of any intentional misconduct after experts brought into the investigation accepted his explanation that the contamination was caused by his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who inadvertently exposed him to the steroid through a healing spray. Nevertheless, the Italian was stripped of the 400 ranking points and $250,000 he earned at the Indian Wells Masters.

The apparent secrecy surrounding Jannik Sinner's two failed drug tests and his avoidance of a ban has led to conjecture about him receiving preferential treatment, with the likes of Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov and Liam Broady alleging double standards.

However, Mark Petchey has rallied behind Sinner, expressing confidence in the Italian's innocence and emphasizing that it is a "false dichotomy" to compare his case to those of other players, as each situation is unique.

The Brit argued that the 23-year-old's team had simply employed every legal avenue available to "limit the damage" after the failed drug tests.

"I don’t believe Jannik Sinner is guilty. No one case is ever the same and trying to make comparisons here with others is a false dichotomy. Sport, especially tennis, is a completely capitalist behemoth on every level. Yet when it comes to everything else people expect it be run on a socialist system," Petchey posted on X.

"Why do companies etc have teams of lawyers/accountants working round the clock for them? To make sure they get the best outcome. Sinner and his team followed the rules after the tests results, did everything they could do to limit the damage within the legal framework and got the best legal outcome. That’s life and that’s what this is," he added.

Petchey also insisted that there were no "double standards" at play, affirming that the law was followed to the letter.

"No double standards here. The law was followed. No criminal case, no tax case, no murder case, is the same. Each is its own case and the law will do its thing. That is what happened here," he commented.

"Ridiculous, whether it was accidental or planned… Jannik Sinner should be gone for 2 years" - Nick Kyrgios

Jannik Sinner (Source: Getty)

In contrast to Mark Petchey, Nick Kyrgios has labeled Jannik Sinner's escaping a ban as "ridiculous," asserting that two failed drug tests by the World No. 1 should have resulted in a two-year ban.

"Ridiculous - whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…. Yeah nice," he posted.

Denis Shapovalov, meanwhile, alleged double standards in Sinner's treatment compared to other players.

"Different rules for different players," Shapovalov posted.

Amid the controversy surrounding his failed drug tests, Jannik Sinner has expressed his intention to "put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind him" as he gears up for the 2024 US Open after his recent triumph at the Cincinnati Open.