"I'm sympathetic to Jannik Sinner" - Daniil Medvedev joins Carlos Alcaraz in supporting Italian amid WADA's appeal to ban him following doping saga

Daniil Medvedev has voiced his support for Jannik Sinner, expressing sympathy for the Italian after WADA appealed his ban following a doping controversy. By doing so, the Russian joined Carlos Alcaraz in backing Sinner during the "tricky situation."

Sinner tested positive for the banned substance Clostebol twice during the 2024 Indian Wells Masters in March. However, he avoided a ban after the ITIA accepted his explanation that it entered his system through his ex-physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, who had used an over-the-counter spray containing the steroid to treat his own wound.

On Saturday (September 28), WADA announced that they have appealed to CAS, requesting a one to two-year ban for the World No. 1. They also clarified that they do not intend to disqualify his previous results.

The tennis world has seen a range of opinions from prominent figures such as Carlos Alcaraz, Nick Kyrgios, Andy Roddick and Mark Petchey since then. The latest to join the conversation is Daniil Medvedev, who commented that while the situation is quite tricky, he sympathizes with Jannik Sinner.

"It's a tricky situation," Medvedev said during a press conference at the ongoing China Open. "I want to say he does what he needs to do. WADA does probably what they need to do. Let's see how it finishes. We thought maybe it was finished, but no."

The Russian added:

"I'm the same a little bit like Carlos [Alcaraz]. I'm sympathetic to Jannik [Sinner]. I don't think it has a bad, really bad look in tennis."

"I think, yeah, if 10 top-10 players suddenly would be on the same substance or something, it would be different. I think it's just an individual situation which we'll see how it ends," he continued.

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Jannik Sinner & Daniil Medvedev could meet in China Open 2024 final

Jannik Sinner (L) and Daniil Medvedev pictured at the 2024 Miami Open | Image Source: Getty

Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev are in top form at the 2024 China Open, having reached the semifinals. If they continue their impressive runs, they could face off in the final of the ATP 500 tournament.

Defending champion Sinner has overcome Nicolas Jarry, Roman Safiullin, and Jiri Lehecka to secure his spot in the last four, where he will face Yunchaokete Bu. Meanwhile, Medvedev advanced by defeating Gael Monfils, Adrian Mannarino, and Flavio Cobolli, and is now set for a high-stakes clash against Carlos Alcaraz.

A potential championship clash between Medvedev and Sinner would be a rematch of last year's final, where Sinner won in straight sets.

The pair have already faced each other four times this season, with the Italian defeating the Russian at the Australian Open to capture his first Grand Slam title. Should they meet again, it promises to be an intriguing showdown given their recent history.