Novak Djokovic known as on tennis’ governing our bodies to urgently overhaul the game’s anti-doping system.

Talking in Doha forward of the ATP Qatar Open, the 24-time Grand Slam champion pointed to “inconsistencies” in instances involving high stars akin to Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, in comparison with these of lower-ranked gamers.

The World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) introduced on Saturday that it had reached an settlement with Sinner over a three-month suspension, which is able to permit the Italian to return in time for the following Grand Slam – the French Open – which begins on Might 25.

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World No 1 Sinner accepted the ban, admitting “partial duty” for errors made by his crew which led to him twice testing constructive for traces of clostebol in March final 12 months.

Final 12 months, five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek accepted a one-month ban after testing constructive for the banned coronary heart drug trimetazidine.

“It is not a superb picture for our sport, that is for positive,” Djokovic stated. “Nearly all of the gamers really feel like there may be favouritism occurring. It looks as if it seems that you could virtually have an effect on the result if you’re a high participant, in case you have entry to the highest legal professionals and whatnot.

“Swiatek and Sinner are harmless and it is confirmed, until it is confirmed in any other case. So proper now we all know they’re harmless,” he added.

“We have seen on social media, Simona Halep and Tara Moore and another gamers which might be perhaps much less recognized, which were struggling to resolve their instances for years or have gotten the ban for years. I feel proper now it is a ripe time for us to actually tackle the system, as a result of the system and the construction clearly would not work with anti-doping. It is apparent.

“So, I hope that within the subsequent interval of the close to future that the governing our bodies are going to return collectively of our Excursions and the tennis ecosystem and attempt to discover a extra, efficient solution to to take care of these processes.”

Sky Sports activities Information has contacted World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) and the Affiliation of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for remark.

Sinner: WADA’s strict guidelines are necessary safety for the game I like

Sinner, who final month retained his Australian Open title to assert his third Grand Slam triumph, examined constructive in March 2024 for the anabolic steroid clostebol, earlier than being cleared in August by an unbiased tribunal who decided he was to not blame.

In a case introduced by the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company (ITIA), the tribunal accepted Sinner’s rationalization that the banned substance entered his physique because of a therapeutic massage from his physiotherapist, who had used a twig containing the steroid to deal with a minimize on their finger.

Sinner subsequently fired physio Giacomo Naldi and his coach Umberto Ferrara, who Sinner stated had equipped Naldi with the over-the-counter spray.

However WADA, who beforehand stated it was searching for a ban of between one and two years for Sinner, appealed in opposition to that call to the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in September and a subsequent listening to had been set for April 16 and 17.

In an announcement launched on Saturday, WADA defined that it continues to imagine Sinner didn’t intend to cheat however that he was chargeable for his entourage’s negligence.

The Italian has accepted a interval of ineligibility that suspends him from enjoying from February 9 till Might 4, and stated on Saturday through an announcement that he had made the choice as a result of he realises “WADA’s strict guidelines are an necessary safety for the game I like”.

‘Equity in tennis would not exist’

Nick Kyrgios says the leniency of a three-month ban given to Sinner after two constructive drug exams in 2024 has proven that “equity in tennis doesn’t exist”.

“So WADA come out and say it might be a 1-2 12 months ban,” Kyrgios wrote on X.

“Clearly Sinner’s crew have finished all the pieces of their energy to only go forward and take a 3 month ban, no titles misplaced, no prize cash misplaced. Responsible or not? Unhappy day for tennis. Equity in tennis doesn’t exist.”

In a separate submit, he added: “I do know plenty of gamers which might be feeling the identical means in the mean time.

“So he was discovered responsible – therefore the ban. However did not get stripped of something and might play the French. Unhappy unhappy unhappy day.”

Draper: Sinner ban not good for tennis

British No 1 Jack Draper stated gamers must be accountable for what goes into their our bodies however believes Sinner’s ban will not be good for tennis.

“I do know Jannik. he is a superb buddy, and I do know that with this complete factor, I am positive he would not have finished something intentional,” Draper stated.

“However clearly that is the game and now we have to be accountable for what goes in our our bodies.

“He is acquired a ban for a number of months, I do not suppose that is good for tennis, I do not suppose it is good for the game that the No 1 participant on the planet, and somebody who’s doing unbelievable issues is having to face a ban.

“However he’ll be again shortly and I want him one of the best and I hope he’ll be okay.”