Sinner’s Doping Case: Bracciali Predicts a Tough Road Ahead
Former Italian player Daniele Bracciali has weighed in on the doping controversy surrounding Jannik Sinner, suggesting that the world No. 1 is “almost certainly” facing a ban following his recent violations. Although Sinner was initially deemed to have “no fault or negligence” after testing positive for the banned steroid clostebol twice in March, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has since decided to appeal this ruling.
In September, WADA confirmed that while it is not disputing the finding of “no fault” issued by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), it is challenging the leniency of the punishment. This has stirred significant debate and scrutiny both within and outside the tennis community.
Bracciali, who himself faced a lifetime ban for match-fixing in 2018, expressed his concern during an interview with Mowmag. He acknowledged Sinner’s talents but believes that the player will ultimately face repercussions. “How will the Sinner case end? Unfortunately, knowing the environment of WADA and ITIA, I believe that a disqualification will almost certainly arrive,” Bracciali stated.
He emphasized the unfairness of penalizing an athlete who has not intentionally sought to enhance performance through drugs. “It is not right to disqualify a tennis player if it is found that he has not taken drugs to improve performance. In Sinner’s case, this has not changed anything. Objective responsibility in this situation is a real scam.”
Bracciali also pointed out the potential mental toll such a decision could have on Sinner. “He is very strong and has shown that, but a decision like this would weigh heavily on him. Let’s not forget how difficult a sentence like that can be; Sinner is human,” he noted. He highlighted that the mental struggle would be amplified for Sinner, as he knows he has done nothing wrong. “How do you process the fact that objective responsibility could lead to disqualification? It’s incredibly challenging.”
Reiterating his defense of the 23-year-old, Bracciali asserted that Sinner still enjoys substantial support in Italy. He labeled a potential ban as a “dirty trick” that would tarnish Sinner’s career unjustly. “I believe all Italians understand who Sinner is. While there will always be detractors, the right solution would be acquittal,” he argued.
Bracciali acknowledged that should a disqualification occur, it would have little effect on Sinner’s ranking, given his significant point advantage. “He could remain at the top for three or four months without issues. However, it would leave an indelible stain on his career, even though we all know he is in good faith.”
In summary, as Sinner navigates this tumultuous situation, the tennis world watches closely, waiting to see how the proceedings will unfold and what impact they will have on the promising player’s future.