During a recent interview, Rafael Nadal addressed the controversy surrounding Jannik Sinner’s failed doping tests in March. The tests were only revealed five months later, but a tribunal ultimately found Sinner to be not at fault. Nadal shared his belief in Sinner’s good faith and supported the decisions made by the ruling bodies.
Nadal stated, “I have a virtue or a deficit, which is that in the end I usually believe in people’s good faith. I know Sinner, I don’t believe that Sinner has ever wanted to dope. I don’t think we have to like it only when it is resolved in the way we think. In the end, justice is justice and I believe in justice. I believe in the bodies that have to make decisions and that really make them based on what they believe is right.”
I don’t believe that Sinner has ever wanted to dope
In addition, Nadal addressed the allegations of preferential treatment towards Sinner, stating, “I’m totally confident that if he has not been sanctioned it is because those who have had to judge this case have seen very clearly that there were no sanctions to be imposed. I do not believe that because he is Sinner he will not be sanctioned and because he is someone else he will be sanctioned. I really believe it and I am convinced of it. Afterwards, the opinion of others is also totally respectable. But, well, this is my opinion.”
I do not believe that because he is Sinner he will not be sanctioned
Looking ahead, Nadal is set to play at the Laver Cup, which will feature top players such as Carlos Alcaraz, Danill Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, among others, from September 20th-22nd.