Roger Federer believes Jannik Sinner’s doping case casts doubts about whether or not the present No. 1-ranked tennis participant ought to have been allowed to proceed competing whereas awaiting the decision of his intentional use of an anabolic steroid, for which he examined constructive twice in March.
“It’s not something we want to see in our sport – these types of news, regardless of whether he did something or not, or any player did. It’s just noise that we don’t want. I understand the frustration of whether he has been treated the same as others. And I think this is where it comes down to. We all trust pretty much, at the end, that he didn’t do anything,” Federer mentioned Tuesday on the “Today” present whereas selling a photograph ebook. “But the inconsistency, potentially, that he didn’t have to sit out while they were not 100 percent sure what was going on – I think that’s the question here that needs to be answered.”
Hours later Tuesday night time, Federer obtained a heat ovation from the gang at Arthur Ashe Stadium when launched in the course of the second set of the U.S. Open quarterfinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen.
Federer smiled and waved as he appeared on the videoboards within the enviornment. It was the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s first go to to the venue since he stopped competing. Federer introduced his retirement in 2022; he performed his final official match at Wimbledon the yr earlier than.
He is the final man to win consecutive titles on the U.S. Open, capturing 5 in a row from 2004 to 2008.
Several prime gamers have been requested about Sinner, who’s scheduled to face 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev within the Grand Slam event’s quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Rafael Nadal informed a Spanish tv present on Monday that he doesn’t consider Sinner obtained preferential therapy.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency mentioned on Aug. 20 that it had decided the banned efficiency enhancer inadvertently entered Sinner’s system via a therapeutic massage from his physiotherapist, which is why the participant was not suspended.
Asked in regards to the matter in New York earlier than the U.S. Open started, Novak Djokovic mentioned he understands why some tennis gamers query whether or not there’s a double customary within the sport.
“It’s a tricky situation and it’s the nightmare of every athlete and team to have these allegations and these problems,” Federer mentioned. “We need to trust the process as well of everyone involved.”
Federer additionally talked about a current dialog with Nadal, his longtime on-court rival and off-court pal, who’s 38 and has performed sparingly the final two seasons resulting from accidents, together with a hip operation final yr. Nadal is sitting out the U.S. Open.
There are questions on whether or not Nadal, who has gained 22 Grand Slam titles, will return to the tour.
“He can do whatever he wants,” Federer mentioned. “He’s been one of the most iconic tennis players we’ve ever had in our sport. … I just hope he can go out on his terms and the way he wants to.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com