As Jannik Sinner prepares for his US Open quarterfinal match against Daniil Medvedev, the tennis world remains abuzz with controversy surrounding the Italian star’s recent doping case. The 22-year-old, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, revealed last week that he had twice tested positive for trace amounts of clostebol back in March but was ultimately exonerated by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The case has sparked widespread debate, especially following Sinner’s victory at the Cincinnati Open, just before the final Grand Slam of the year.

Two of the sport’s most respected figures, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, have now shared their perspectives on the situation, offering insights into the handling of the case and its implications for Sinner’s career.

Speaking on the Spanish talk show El Hormiguero, Rafael Nadal expressed his belief in the fairness of the ruling that cleared Sinner of any intentional wrongdoing. The 22-time Grand Slam champion emphasized his trust in the decision-making process of the ITIA.

“I trust that he wasn’t punished because those who judged this case determined quite clearly that there was nothing to punish,” Nadal stated. “I don’t believe the sentence has anything to do with him being No. 1 in the world.”

Nadal’s comments reflect his confidence in the integrity of the judicial process and his belief that Sinner’s status as the top player did not influence the outcome.

While Federer agreed with Nadal on the importance of trusting the process, he also acknowledged the concerns raised by many regarding the consistency of how doping cases are handled. During an appearance on the U.S. morning show Today, Federer highlighted a key question that has been on the minds of many in the sports community.

“The inconsistency, potentially, that he didn’t have to sit out while they were not 100% sure what was going on… I think that’s the question here that needs to be answered,” Federer remarked.

Federer’s comments underscore the debate over whether Sinner received preferential treatment due to his high profile, a point that has fueled much of the controversy.

Sinner, who successfully appealed the positive test results by tracing the source of the clostebol to an over-the-counter cream used by his fitness trainer, has faced significant fallout from the incident. In his pre-tournament press conference in New York, Sinner revealed that he had fired both his fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara, and his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, citing a loss of trust.

“Now, because of these mistakes, I’m not feeling that confident to continue with them. The only thing I just need right now, just some clean air,” Sinner explained.

Despite the controversy, Sinner’s on-court performance has remained strong. He is the youngest male player since Nadal in 2008 to reach the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments in the same season.

The differing views expressed by Nadal and Federer reflect the broader debate within the tennis community regarding the handling of doping cases and the potential for double standards. While Nadal emphasizes faith in the justice system, Federer’s remarks suggest a need for greater transparency and consistency.

As Sinner continues his US Open campaign, the impact of this controversy on his career and reputation remains to be seen. However, both Nadal and Federer agree on one thing: the importance of maintaining trust in the processes that govern the sport.