Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge has voiced his discontent over the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) decision to appeal Jannik Sinner’s cleared doping case, suggesting that the organization is trying to assert dominance. The former doubles world No. 1 believes WADA’s actions undermine the thorough investigation conducted by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and unnecessarily prolong the ordeal for Sinner.
Sinner’s Case: From Clearance to Appeal
In August, the ITIA announced that world No. 1 Jannik Sinner had failed two doping tests. However, after a detailed review, the organization ruled that Sinner bore no fault or negligence due to contamination. With that ruling, the case appeared to be resolved, allowing the 23-year-old to continue his season without repercussions.
However, WADA disrupted that resolution by announcing an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in late September. This decision surprised many in the tennis world, given the ITIA’s extensive investigation and justification for clearing Sinner.
Woodbridge: WADA Wants to Show Who’s in Charge
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ The Morning Serve, Woodbridge did not hide his frustration with WADA’s intervention. He emphasized how rigorous tennis’s anti-doping system is, pointing out that top players are tested almost every two weeks. He suggested that WADA should appreciate ITIA’s efficiency rather than dragging out cases, as seen in other sports.
“For tennis, it just shows how deep our sport goes into making sure we’re OK,” Woodbridge noted. “These players get tested at that level almost every two weeks, so there’s something happening all the time.”
Woodbridge also highlighted how tennis has struggled with prolonged doping cases in the past and suggested that this situation could put pressure on anti-doping organizations to be more consistent. However, he criticized WADA for seemingly wanting “total control” rather than respecting the ITIA’s judgment.
“It’s been through a process, and they’re making it go through another process again, which I find mind-boggling, to be honest with you,” he added.
What’s Next for Sinner?
Despite the controversy, Sinner now faces another legal battle. The CAS has scheduled his hearing in Lausanne for April 16-17. Speculation suggests that if he does receive a suspension, it will likely be a short-term one, not exceeding six months.
The outcome of the appeal could have significant implications, not only for Sinner but for the integrity of tennis’s anti-doping system. If WADA succeeds in overturning the ITIA’s decision, it could set a precedent for future cases, potentially reducing the authority of tennis’s independent anti-doping body.
For now, the tennis world watches closely as Sinner prepares to fight yet another round of scrutiny—despite already having been cleared once.
