Novak Djokovic makes frustration clear after being "kept in dark" about Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek doping cases

Novak Djokovic this week laid bare his frustration at Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek's doping cases not being made public until the verdicts were out. The Serb pondered how the system works and why it is not the same for every player.

Conveying his thoughts about the cases, Novak Djokovic said while he was not questioning the decision in Jannik Sinner's case, it didn't feel right not to share the details about the case for such a long time. He said (via Eurosport),

"I'm just questioning the way the system works, really. And why certain players are not treated the same like the other players. The issue is the inconsistency, is the transparency. We've been kept in the dark with Jannik's case. I mean, I'm not questioning whether, you know, he took the banned substance intentionally or not" [1:07].

He added,

"I believe in a clean sport. I believe that the player will do everything possible to be playing fair. I've known Jannik since he was very young, so he doesn't strike me as somebody that would do such a thing. I've been really frustrated as most of the other players, to see that we've been kept in the dark for five months."

The tennis world was stunned when two big names, Sinner and Swiatek, were caught in doping controversies within a span of a few months. While the Italian tested positive for Clostebol during the Indian Wells Masters, the Pole tested positive for Trimetazidine during an out-of-competition testing in August.

However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency decided that both players bore "No Significant Fault or Negligence." Sinner was allowed to continue playing, while Swiatek was handed a minor one-month suspension. However, many in the tennis fraternity didn't agree with the verdicts.

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"Not a good image and not a good look for tennis" - Novak Djokovic on Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek's doping controversies

Djokovic - Source: Getty

Novak Djokovic felt that the way Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek's cases were handled would have an adverse on tennis' image. However, the Serb said that he would continue to believe in tennis' integrity.

He said (via Eurosport),

"Not a good image for and not a good look for our sport. Of, you don't want to see that. Because I believe that, in the last 20-plus years that I've been playing on the professional tour, that we've been one of the cleanest sports. And at least I believe that we are, we have been. So I will keep on believing in that clean sport" (at start of video).

Djokovic has landed in Brisbane to kick off his 2025 season. He will play Rinky Hijikata in the opening round in the singles. Meanwhile, In a partnership that has captured the attention of many, the 37-year-old will play doubles alongside his friend Nick Kyrgios. The Aussie has joked this week about how it was a "pleasure" for the 24-time Grand Slam champion to team up with him.