Novak Djokovic spoke about on the latest development in Jannik Sinner’s doping case. The Serb said that the whole scenario is not good for tennis while also criticizing the system.

Sinner was on the forefront of a doping controversy before the US Open started, as he failed two drug tests for clostebool, a banned substance, during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. However, the ruling from the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) said that the World No. 1 bore “no fault or negligence” after he claimed small portions of the substance entered his body through his then-physiotherapist.

However, WADA appealed the ITIA’s ruling, and Novak Djokovic spoke on the subject in his press conference ahead of the Shanghai Masters. The Serb said that the system in place “was not working well” and has “way too many inconsistencies”, while also pointing out the number of governing bodies involved in Sinner’s doping case.

“Well, I think it’s quite obvious that we have a system that is not working well. So, I guess that’s probably something that even the people who are not following our sport are realizing. There’s way too many inconsistencies, way too many governing bodies involved, and, you know, just this whole case is not helping our sport at all. I think he has won the three appeals so far that he had, and, you know, it must be very tough for him and his team and family,” the Serb said.

Novak Djokovic hopes for Jannik Sinner’s doping saga to be resolved quickly

In the aforementioned press conference, Djokovic hailed Sinner for performing the way he has despite how his doping saga has unfolded.

“Hopefully, we can go back to tennis and, I mean, it’s impressive what he was been doing, in the whole process of what’s been happening, that he’s playing such a high level, winning Grand Slam and, you know, winning most of the matches that he plays,” the 37-year-old said.

The Serb also hoped for Sinner’s situation to be resolved at the earliest, as it isn’t “positive” for tennis

“That’s not, you know, this situation or these circumstances are not positive for our sport, so hopefully we can resolve this case as soon as possible. Whatever’s going to happen, at the end of the day, I just wish for it to be resolved as soon as possible. Yeah, that’s all I have to say about that,” he added.

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have faced off seven times, with Sinner leading 4-3. Their most recent meeting in the semifinals of this year’s Australian Open saw the Italian winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 to reach his maiden Grand Slam final, which he won by beating Daniil Medvedev. It was Sinner’s second straight win over the Serb, having also beaten him in the Davis Cup semifinals.

Djokovic and Sinner are scheduled to compete at the Shanghai Masters, with the Serb facing Alex Michelsen or Bu Yunchaokete in the second round, while Sinner will take on Taro Daniel. The winner of Sinner’s match will face 31st seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry or Francisco Cerundolo in the third round of the Masters 1000 event.