Amid Sinner saga, call for 'clear protocols'

Novak Djokovic on Aug 24 called for "clear protocols" and "standardised approaches" to tennis doping cases in response to the announcement that topranked Jannik Sinner had escaped a ban despite two positive tests in 2024.

The 37-year-old Serb, speaking to reporters as he prepared to defend his US Open title, said players who have bemoaned a lack of transparency in the Sinner case make a valid point.

"I understand the frustration of the players is there because of lack of consistency," the 24-time Grand Slam champion said.

"As I understood, his case was cleared the moment basically it was announced. But, you know, I think five or six months passed since the news (of the positive tests) was brought to him and his team.

"So, yeah, there is a lot of issues in the system. We see lack of standardised and clear protocols. I can understand the sentiments of a lot of players that are questioning whether they are treated the same." Several players have suggested Sinner received special treatment because of his ranking, asking why was he not provisionally suspended as the investigation that exonerated him played out.