Eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors has candidly weighed in on Jannik Sinner being banned from tennis for failing doping tests.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced in August that Sinner was free to play as he bore “no fault or negligence” after testing positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol twice in March.

An independent tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance had entered his body when receiving a massage from his former physio, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on his finger.

In September, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the verdict, seeking to impose a ban of between one and two years on the world No 1.

The appeal was set to be heard in April, but WADA revealed last week that it had reached an agreement with Sinner’s representatives for the three-time major winner to serve a suspension from February 9 to May 4.

Sinner was unable to play at this week’s Qatar Open ATP 500 event, and he will also miss Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid.

The 23-year-old Italian will not, though, miss any Grand Slams, and he will be able to compete at the Italian Open, which begins three days after his ban expires.

Jannik Sinner News

The extensive list of conditions that Jannik Sinner must follow during 3-month ban

Jannik Sinner’s short ban deemed ‘appropriate’ by WADA, who initially demanded a minimum 12-month suspension

Speaking on an episode of his Advantage Connors podcast, Connors asserted that Sinner’s ban is a blow for tennis and suggested it taints the world No 1’s amazing achievements.

“Well, all I know is tennis is better with Sinner in it. It’s a lot better with him in it,” the former world No 1 began.

“And for him to be away from the game and not playing at a top level and not creating the interest that he does, if he does, you know, with whoever his fans are or whatever, is not good for the game. But, you know, it’s a shame that, you know, that that’s kind of crept into the game right now.

“And it’s taken away from a guy who, over the past 18 months, has had an unbelievable run, a great stretch of wins and exciting tennis and great for his career and even great for the game.

“And to have that tainted a little bit like that, you know, and I’m going to go back and say it, I’m old school. I’m all for doing it all and being as good as you can be on what you are and who you are.

“And if that’s not good enough, then be as good as you can be, whatever that is. But, you know, I don’t think tennis needs that. Tennis needs something to take it to another level up and push it forward for the future generations and the young kids coming in that, you know, that look up to these kids, not to knock it down a peg.”

When discussing Sinner’s case in October, Connors questioned whether the sport could survive a player of the Italian’s status being banned.

“Listen, all I know is that I don’t think tennis at that level could survive that to hit a top player,” the American said.

“They have shown in the past that they are not afraid to hit lower ranked players and discard them from the game. But I don’t know if tennis at that level could take it.”

READ NEXT: When will Jannik Sinner return to training after his ban?