Nadal defends Sinner amid doping controversy on Spanish TV

Rafael Nadal expressed his belief that Jannik Sinner did not intentionally use a banned substance during an interview on a Spanish television show. Sinner, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the world, tested positive for trace amounts of an anabolic steroid in March but was cleared of doping charges after it was determined that the substance entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist. Nadal emphasized that he trusts the judgment of the authorities who handled Sinner's case, asserting that there was no preferential treatment involved due to Sinner's ranking. During the interview, Nadal stated, "I believe in someone’s good faith" and expressed confidence in Sinner's integrity, indicating that he does not believe Sinner had any intention to dope. This statement comes amid ongoing discussions in the tennis community regarding potential double standards in doping cases, a sentiment echoed by fellow player Novak Djokovic. Nadal, who did not participate in the U.S. Open, reiterated his faith in the justice system and the governing bodies responsible for making decisions in such matters. He highlighted the importance of fairness and the need for trust in the processes that determine the outcomes of doping allegations. The International Tennis Integrity Agency's investigation concluded that Sinner's positive tests were not a result of deliberate doping, which has led to a broader conversation about the integrity of the sport and the measures in place to ensure fair play among athletes.