The day before, it became known that the world’s number one tennis player Jannik Sinner had two positive doping tests in March: the anabolic steroid clostebol was found in his system. Famous athletes have been caught using banned substances before, but the Italian got off with just a slight scare.

Tennis fans immediately recalled the story of Maria Sharapova and compared the two doping scandals. Fans believe that the Russian was unfairly suspended from competitions, and that double standards apply to Sinner.

Became unwelcome

Sinner lost 400 ranking points and lost his prize money for the Masters tournament in Indian Wells in the amount of 325 thousand dollars. The entire tennis world was shocked by such herbivorous sanctions against the Italian. For example, Australian Nick Kyrgios believed that his colleague should be disqualified for two years. And Kyrgios is not the only one who spoke harshly about Sinner and put him in the category of unshakable.

Jannik Sinner / Photo: © Frey/TPN / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

The anger from the athletes is understandable, because the International Tennis Integrity Authority (ITIA) demonstrated double standards. ITIA literally split the tennis world and created a dangerous precedent.

“I can’t imagine what every other player who was disqualified for banned substances is feeling right now. Different rules for different players,” Canadian tennis player Denis Shapovalov commented on the situation.

Against the backdrop of the scandal, tennis fans began to recall the story of Maria Sharapova. In 2016, the Russian tennis player was also found to have doping in her system – meldonium. In an interview, Sharapova criticized the International Tennis Federation (ITF), which did not warn the tennis player about changes in the list of prohibited substances, and also said that her agent Max Eisenbud did not do his job and did not familiarize himself with WADA’s decision on meldonium.

Different outcomes of doping scandals

Sharapova never absolved herself of responsibility. Maria called an emergency press conference in Los Angeles to announce that she had failed a doping test.

“I made a huge mistake. I take full responsibility for it,” Sharapova said.

Maria Sharapova and Jannik Sinner / Photo: © Matthew Ashton / Contributor / Corbis Sport / Gettyimages.ru, Eurasia Sport Images / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

At that time, no one defended the Russian, who had to defend her rights alone. Sharapova said that she had been taking mildronate for health reasons for almost her entire career. The ITF knew this very well, but did not warn the tennis player. As a result, Maria was disqualified for two years! After additional investigations, the term was reduced to 15 months.

In Sinner’s story, it’s almost the opposite. The Italian portrayed himself as a victim of circumstances, blaming his fitness coach for buying a cream containing clostebol. Also, Yannick did not make public his failed doping tests, instead he filed an appeal, during which he was allowed to compete. All this was kept secret from ordinary fans. And most importantly, Sinner was not suspended.

Tennis fans did not appreciate the unfair treatment. They also suggested that in a similar situation, Russian athlete Daniil Medvedev would have had to accept a disqualification.

“I’ll be honest, it’s been almost ten years and I still think Sharapova was treated badly. I don’t even like Sharapova, but the ban on meldonium was a massive anti-Russian conspiracy. And I don’t even believe in conspiracies,” Thami15 wrote.

“If Sharapova had tried to prove that she stopped taking meldonium when it was banned, she might have been successful. Especially if her representatives could have brought a medical expert who would have supported Sharapova,” pipedreamer220 believes.

“If exactly the same scenario that Sinner went through had happened to Medvedev, he would not have played on a professional court for at least a year,” beargrimzly noted.

Sinner’s doping scandal differs from Sharapova’s story in that Yannick is supported by all sorts of organizations. For example, ITIA and ITF believed the tennis player’s story about an illiterate fitness coach and a physiotherapist with a wound on his finger without hesitation.

In addition, the ATP chairman is Italian Andrea Gaudenzi, who has repeatedly shown a special attitude towards his compatriot. For example, the ATP released a video in which former world number one tennis players congratulated Sinner on his leadership in the rankings – this has never happened before. On the other hand, even if the chairman was not from Italy, it would still be unprofitable for the ATP to lose the number one. After all, top tennis players bring money to the association.

Now it has become interesting: did Sinner really miss the 2024 Olympics due to illness? Was there some other reason? Before the Games in Paris, Yannick cited tonsillitis, which doctors diagnosed him with.

In any case, the story is not over yet: WADA announced that it reserves the right to appeal.