Medvedev hopes Sinner doping ban deal sets precedent

Daniil Medvedev won the US Open in 2021

Daniil Medvedev says he hopes Jannik Sinner's doping ban will "create a precedent" so other players can reach similar settlements with anti-doping authorities in the future.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Sinner accepted an immediate three-month ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) on Saturday.

The world number one had previously been cleared of any wrongdoing after two positive drug tests last year, but Wada appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Wada initially sought a ban of up to two years but reached a deal after accepting the Italian player was inadvertently contaminated by a banned substance and "did not intend to cheat".

"I hope that the next few times, the players will be able to do that," Russian world number eight Medvedev said.

"I hope that it will create a precedent where everyone will have the opportunity to defend themselves better than before.

"Otherwise, if it's not going to be possible, it's going to be bizarre."

Wada said it had entered into a settlement agreement with Sinner for a shorter ban under provision 10.8.2 in its code.

A spokesperson told BBC Sport on Saturday: "This provision was introduced to the code in 2021. Since then it has been used dozens of times for cases with exceptional circumstances such as this one.

"Given there are many thousands of cases, it is not used that often and is the exception rather than the rule but there has been plenty of precedent for this."

Sinner is suspended until 4 May, meaning he will be able to return for the French Open.

Medvedev thinks the settlement came about because Sinner could pay for good lawyers.

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has launched a new scheme to help players facing allegations of doping or corruption to access pro bono legal support in an attempt to ensure access to "world-class legal expertise regardless of a player's financial standing and personal resources".

"I hope that everyone will have the right to represent themselves because sometimes players don't have the money for a lawyer, they do it themselves," Medvedev, champion at the US Open in 2021, added.

"It's a bad sign if he's the only one who can do that, but it's a very good sign if, after that, everyone will be able to do it."

'So much inconsistency'

American world number five Jessica Pegula said the handling of Sinner's case and Iga Swiatek's one-month ban for doping in 2024 showed the "process is completely broken".

"I think my reaction is that, whether you think he did or you don't, or whatever side you're on, the process just seems to be completely not a process," the WTA Player's Council member told The National.

"It seems to just be whatever decisions and factors they take into consideration, and they just make up their own ruling.

"I don't really understand how that's fair for players when there's just so much inconsistency and you have no idea."

The 30-year-old said she wants the system to be "seriously looked at and considered".

"I don't think any of the players trust the process at all right now. Zero. It's just a horrible look for the sport," Pegula added.