Feliciano Lopez explains why Jannik Sinner is suffering an injustice
As everyone knows, Jannik Sinner is unable to compete on the professional tour until May 4. The world No. 1 – who was fully acquitted in the first instance by an independent tribunal – agreed to the deal with WADA last month and will miss six tournaments in total, including four Masters 1000.
The Italian ace was not willing to accept this compromise at first, but his team of lawyers suggested that it was a good solution to avoid worse trouble before the CAS in Lausanne.
WADA asked for a suspension of one to two years and the 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria could not take such an extreme risk, which would have had very negative repercussions on his image and his entire career.
Lopez continues to defend Sinner
The tennis world has been divided over this suspension, between those who claim that Jannik did not deserve such treatment as he was not at fault and those who claim that he received favorable treatment from the authorities.
Interviewed by ‘MARCA’, former world number 12 Feliciano Lopez – who is the current director of the Mutua Madrid Open – continued to defend Sinner: “I always said that I believed he was innocent and I never changed my opinion. He has shown that he has no fault for what happened and I honestly don’t understand why he has to stay three months away from the tour.
Many people say that he was suspended because he is also responsible for the actions of his team members and it is true, but I struggle to conceive that a totally innocent player should be suspended even for a single day.
I respect all opinions and am open to listening to others, but I can’t wait for Sinner to get back into action.”
The Italian star – who won the Australian Open in January – will be able to return to compete at the Rome Masters 1000 in May.
The 3-time Grand Slam champion is working mainly on the athletic part in this period together with his fitness coach Marco Panichi and his physio Ulises Badio.
