Daniil Medvedev is all set to face Carlos Alcaraz at the China Open. While the Russian would be looking forward to avenging the Wimbledon Championships loss, he took a few minutes to share his views on the most sought-after topic: Jannik Sinner’s doping appeal by WADA. Carlos Alcaraz extended his sympathies toward his arch-rival as he faced another storm. Medvedev was not far away from the diplomatic path traveled by Alcaraz in this tricky situation, as he described the locker room’s environment.

It’s certainly tough for the Italian sensation, as he expressed his “disappointment” towards WADA’s appeal requesting a year ban for the doping violation. When Alcaraz was asked for his views on the situation, he said, “I think for tennis it’s not really good, not really a good sign for tennis in general.” However, World No.3 sympathized with the Italian, “I understand the position”. Hence, when asked to comment on the situation after Alcaraz’s stand, the Russian star gave his opinion, shared by The Tennis Letter on X. He too shared similar views, though this is not the topic that he discusses in the locker room.

He said, “I didn’t discuss it much in the locker room, of course, except with my Russian friends because we talk more.” However, Medvedev usually keeps himself away from controversial issues, such as Sinner’s doping scandal. Though, he understands that the situation would be “very tough” for the Italian. Rightly so, this saga was made public a few days before the US Open. Despite being cleared by ITIA, everything went downhill for him. After celebrating his 2nd grand slam win at the US Open, WADA served with another shock to the Italian.

However. Medvedev feels that this could happen to anyone. Reiterating his stance from the US Open, he said, “No one wants to be in this situation because I said it in the US Open press, for me to imagine tomorrow you get an email. Because I think it’s an email, you failed your doping test. They say for whatever reason, like cocaine or some drug you don’t even know the name of. You’re like, Wow, what I do now because I have no idea how it happened that it’s in my pee, blood, whatever.”

The above view represents the ambiguity around the substances going into an athlete’s body. The reason which was stated by Sinner himself, as the spray used by the player contained a prohibited substance.

In addition to understanding Sinner’s ordeal, the Russian star maintained a relatively neutral view, as he further said, “WADA does probably what they need to do. Let’s see how it finishes.” And he agreed to be sympathetic to Sinner. “Yeah, I’m the same, a little bit like Carlos. I’m sympathetic to Jannik,”- added Medvedev.

Suspension looms over Jannik Sinner as WADA appeals ITIA verdict 

There was a huge hue and cry over the process followed during Sinner’s doping scandal’s initial appeal, which was not made public since the beginning. Moreover, it converted into ITIA giving a clean chit to the Italian. However, things turned bad if not worse, when WADA chose to appeal the ITIA decision and requesting for a ban lasting a year or 2 years. Sinner certainly didn’t expect this to happen the week after his US Open win.

Expressing his disappointment over the same, he said, “very disappointed and also surprised.” However, he is not alone in this battle. Other than his family and friends supporting him, the Italian also garnered backing from the veterans of the game. And now, some of his rivals sympathized with his cause.

Though this has been a disappointing moment for the tennis. However, every athlete deserves support and a chance to fight for himself until the last battle. It seems Jannik Sinner is doing the same.