John McEnroe calls for major change to protect tennis from future doping controversies after Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner rows

Tennis great John McEnroe feels having a full-time administrator would help in greater clarity and clearer communication in the sport, especially in instances such as the two high-profile doping controversies that recently rocked the tennis world.

McEnroe, the former World No. 1, was speaking about the outrage caused by two of the world’s best tennis players - Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner - failing dope tests last year.

Swiatek, the current World No. 2, had tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine in August last year and was initially provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and was later given a one-month ban for the doping violation.

Sinner, on the other hand, had failed two drug tests in March 2024 for the banned substance clostebol but the ITIA did not hand him a ban after he appealed that he had ingested the substance unintentionally. However, there was widespread confusion in Sinner’s case as the information regarding his positive test was released only in August, four months after the incident.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Australian Open 2025, McEnroe said, via ESPN, “I don't think it has done any damage because if you look, it's way worse in the other sports."

John McEnroe continued that while tennis was a well-managed sport overall, that doesn’t mean it is completely problem-free.

"In my opinion tennis is cleaner than any other sport. Now that doesn't mean there are no issues," he added.

"If it's not me, it should be someone else" - John McEnroe on who can be tennis' administrator

John McEnroe has been a strong advocate for an administrator and was eager to take up the role if needed. While the opportunity has not presented itself yet, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion stressed that “there still should be a commissioner."

Despite stressing that appointing a commissioner is the need of the hour to better the sport, McEnroe opined that it is unlikely one may be named soon.

"It doesn't look like it's ever going to happen because people are too busy, these tournaments protect their own interests. They care about themselves, they don't care enough about the sport," he said.

McEnroe added that it remains to be seen whether an administrator will be appointed in the next 10 years.

"So it's too bad. But nonetheless, if it's not me, it should be someone else. "We'll see if it happens in the next 10 years," he said.