“With social media, someone’s reputation can vanish in short time” – WADA Director gives his verdict on Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek & other doping rows
WADA’s Director General has said that players like Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek’s reputations can evaporate in a jiffy after doping cases around top players become the media highlight. Sinner tested positive for clostebol earlier this year, losing money and points from the Indian Wells tournament, while Swiatek tested positive for Trimetazidine during an out-of-competition test in August.
Sinner recorded a successful 2024 season, winning titles at the US Open, Australian Open, Shanghai Masters and the ATP Tour Finals, among other accolades. However, his doping ordeal of the World No. 1 in August hasn’t stopped doing the rounds of the internet, despite an independent tribunal ruling that he bore ‘no fault or negligence’.
Recently, WADA challenged the decision of the ITIA-supported tribunal, claiming that the outcome didn’t meet the legal standards of such a case. As a result, the CAS will take the final decision, which is not likely to come before 2025. Weighing in on that, WADA’s Director General, Olivier Niggli, confirmed that WADA doesn’t intend to offend the athletes; rather, their reputation is a priority for the organization.
