"Novak Djokovic got robbed" - Fans outraged by Jannik Sinner not retroactively losing World No. 1 spot despite point penalty after failed drug tests

Jannik Sinner will retain the No. 1 spot from last week's ATP rankings, as his 400-point penalty will not be applied retroactively. As a result, Sinner stayed ahead of Novak Djokovic in last week's rankings, sparking reactions from the Serb's fans.

Sinner tested positive for the banned substance Clostebol during his BNP Paribas Open Campaign in Indian Wells earlier this year. Although provisionally suspended, he explained that the exposure occurred during treatment from his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi.

Additionally, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) determined the amount of the steroid in Sinner's system to be negligible and not performance-enhancing. Thus, the reigning Australian Open champion was cleared of any misconduct and allowed to continue competing but was later fined $325,000 and docked 400 ranking points he had earned for reaching the Indian Wells semifinals.

According to a post from journalist Ben Rothenberg on X (formerly Twitter), the 400 ranking points won't be deducted retroactively and will be removed from this week's rankings. Sinner, who had 8,770 points last week, would have dropped to 8,370 points with a deduction, falling below Djokovic's total of 8,460 points. That would have meant Djokovic going to No. 1 in the rankings.

With Sinner's points now set to be deducted this week, Djokovic, with 7,460 points, still won't reach the top as the Italian, with 8,960 points after the deduction, will remain ahead.

This news has led many Djokovic fans feeling dissatisfied, as they shared their feelings on X. Some of them voicing their feelings regarding the ATP.

"Novak got robbed so many times already, this one week can stay on Jannik’s conscience," one fan said.

"So Djokovic is denied a week at No.1 because Jannik Sinner's 400 points from Indian Wells are being removed only after the ruling and are not struck from the record altogether. Make it make sense ATP," another said.

"My goat got rubbed again I’m out," another fan added.

Here are a few more reactions from fans:

"Only Laver Cup gets retroactive points @atptour corrupt af," one fan commented.

"wow 😭😭😭 this is fu*ked up like how does that even make any sense," a fan said .

"how does that make sense? he cheated so they should be dropped from day 1 and not months later," another said.

The authority's decision to allow Jannik Sinner to compete despite failing two anti-doping tests had sparked outrage among fans earlier.

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Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are the top two seeds to compete at the 2024 US Open

Novak Djokovic [L] and Jannik Sinner [R] at the 2024 Australian Open - Source: Getty

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are the top two seeds for the 2024 US Open. Moreover, the 37-year-old Serb will enter Flushing Meadows as the defending champion and will look to win his 25th Major title.

Djokovic has not made a competitive appearance since his monumental gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, missing the lead-up tournaments might not necessarily affect Djokovic's confidence for the New York Major, given his impressive hard-court record of 71 titles and 14 Grand Slams.

Meanwhile, Sinner has won 5 titles on hard court this season including the ABN Amro Open, the Australian Open, and the Cincinnati Open. Moreover, his impressive 28-2 win-loss record on the surface makes him one of the top favorites to win the US Open, which would be his second Major.

Djokovic and Sinner will join other top ATP players including Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev at the US Open starting Monday, August 26.