Jannik Sinner’s Failed Drug Tests: Jimmy Connors Questions Tennis’ Future

Tennis legend Jimmy Connors has expressed doubts about the survival of the sport if Jannik Sinner receives a ban for his failed anti-doping tests.

Background

The former world No. 1 believes that tennis authorities have previously shown they are willing to “hit lower-ranked players and discard them from the game.” In August, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed that Sinner had avoided a ban after an independent tribunal ruled he was not at fault for failing two anti-doping tests in March.

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Sinner tested positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, on March 10 and 18—during and after the Indian Wells Masters. The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance entered his body through a massage from his former physio, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on their finger.

Current Situation

Recently, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to impose a ban of up to two years on Sinner. WADA stated:

“It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules. WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance.”

Jimmy Connors’ Perspective

Speaking on an episode of the Advantage Connors podcast, Connors commented:

“It’s his escape. Once he is out on that court, he has too much to think about—his own game, his opponent. He knows what it is going to take to win. But what do you do for the other 20 hours over the rest of the day? I am not so close to it that I understand just what a grain of salt of that does. And to be honest, that’s not my style to be a part of that.”

Connors added:

“Listen, all I know is that I don’t think tennis at that level could survive that to hit a top player. They have shown in the past that they are not afraid to hit lower-ranked players and discard them from the game. But I don’t know if tennis at that level could take it.”