Eurosport star Barbara Schett has called for more clarity in future doping cases amid the fallout from Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension.
It was announced last week that world No 1 Sinner, a three-time Grand Slam champion, would serve a three-month ban after twice testing positive for clostebol in March 2024.
The Italian was initially handed no suspension in August 2024 after being found of “no fault” by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), with the 23-year-old successfully claiming he had accidentally been contaminated by his physio.
This ruling was then appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September 2024 and the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) was set to oversee their appeal this coming April.
However, WADA and Sinner have settled on a three-month suspension without the need for a CAS hearing, with the world No 1 banned from competing until May 4th.
That means he can return at his home event, the Italian Open in Rome, before playing at Roland Garros later in May.
The case has attracted attention from the tennis and wider sporting world as a whole, with Sinner, the ITIA, and WADA all facing criticism from some quarters.
Speaking to Kicker, former world No 7 Schett claimed that the manner of the settlement was “strange” and called for WADA to introduce “more precise” rules to avoid such controversy in the future.
“The news came surprisingly early for me, because it was originally said that a decision would be made in April,” said Schett.
“I find the wording interesting, that a joint solution was found. That sounds kind of strange. Is he guilty now or not?
WADA said that he did not intentionally dope and he was banned anyway. It’s a bit confusing, but the three months are obviously good for him. The timing is ideal, because he can play again in Rome.
“Of course, that caused a sh*tstorm, especially on social media, because everyone has an opinion these days.
“Personally, I believe his story. But what I would also like to say is that just because you know someone and like them doesn’t mean they’re innocent. But I really think it was a mistake on the part of his physiotherapist. And Jannik must now face the consequences.
In my opinion, the problem is the opaque process and the way the WADA and the CAS handle things. Many players have the impression that they can now negotiate with the WADA about the length of their ban. Nobody knows what’s going on anymore.
In my opinion, the WADA needs to create more precise and stricter rules so that there is more clarity in future cases.”
Sinner has not played since winning the Australian Open in January and was forced to withdraw from the Qatar Open once his ban was confirmed.
The Italian will also be unable to defend his Miami Open title next month and will miss further Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, and Madrid during his suspension.
Schett was also asked about Iga Swiatek’s case, with the five-time Grand Slam champion having served a one-month suspension after testing positive for TMZ in August 2024.
The Austrian admitted the two cases did not put tennis “in a good light” but further claimed that it needed to be “easier” to understand rulings and processes regarding doping.
She added: “It is of course not good that a world number 1 was banned twice. This definitely did not put tennis in a good light.
“What was strange about Iga was that her punishment was split. The whole system needs to be revised. It must be easier for journalists, tennis fans and everyone who loves the sport to understand the processes.
And if there is a positive test, the public should be informed immediately.”
