Rafael Nadal defends US Open top seed Jannik Sinner over failed drug tests as World No. 1 faces Tommy Paul

Rafael Nadal defends Jannik Sinner after the world number one tested positive for a banned substance on the tennis court, but escaped punishment. According to him, the Italian would never have considered doping and was not judged differently just because he is the highest-ranked player.

In March, Sinner tested positive for the steroid clostebol, which can be used to build muscle mass. However, the court acquitted him after it emerged that his physiotherapist had applied a spray to a cut on his hand before treating the Italian.

Sinner arrived at the US Open with players accusing him of double standards. He was cleared of wrongdoing, while others were provisionally suspended for similar positive tests. Nadal, however, said the anti-doping agencies can be trusted.

“I have a virtue or a fault, and that is that I usually believe in the good faith of people. I know, Sinner, I don’t believe that Sinner ever wanted to dope,” Nadal told Spanish television show El Hormiguero.

“I don’t think we have to like it, only if it’s solved the way we think. In the end, justice is justice and I believe in justice.

Jannik Sinner tested positive for the steroid clostebol, but was acquitted by a court

“I believe in the authorities that have to make decisions and that make those decisions based on what they think is right.”

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has cleared Sinner after he failed two doping tests in March. However, he has always maintained his innocence. According to him, the amount of clostebol found in his body was less than a billionth of a gram.

The ITIA is an independent body established in 2021 by the sport’s governing bodies.

Novak Djokovic called for “clear protocols” and “standardised” approaches to doping cases, while Australian Nick Kyrgios said Sinner should have been suspended regardless of the form of doping, whether it was “accidental or planned”.

However, Nadal said authorities had not given Sinner preferential treatment.

“I am confident that if he has not been punished it is because those who have had to judge this case have seen very clearly that there was no need to impose sanctions,” added Nadal, who skipped the US Open due to concerns about his fitness.

Nadal skipped the US Open due to concerns about his fitness after competing in the Olympics

“I don’t believe that he won’t be punished because he’s a sinner and that he will be punished because he’s someone else. I really believe it and I’m convinced of it.

‘In retrospect, the opinions of others are also perfectly respectable. But anyway, this is my opinion.’

The top-seeded Sinner will face American Tommy Paul later on Monday in the fourth round of the US Open.