Daniil Medvedev is all set to face Carlos Alcaraz at the China Open. The Russian would be looking to avenge the Wimbledon Championships defeat, but before that, he shared his views on the burning topic in the sport: Jannik Sinner’s doping controversy. Carlos Alcaraz already extended his sympathies toward his arch-rival as the Italian faced another storm, with WADA appealing against the decision of the Independent Tribunal. And, Medvedev’s response to that was pretty much on similar lines.

It’s certainly tough for Sinner, as he expressed his “disappointment” at WADA’s appeal that seeks a year long ban on him 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.” The World No.3 sympathized with the Italian, “I understand the position.” When Medvedev was asked to comment on the situation after Alcaraz’s stand, the Russian star gave his opinion, shared by The Tennis Letter on X.

Medvedev said, “I didn’t discuss it much in the locker room, of course, except with my Russian friends because we talk more.” The Russian usually keeps himself away from controversial issues. However, he understands that the situation would be “very tough” for Sinner.

This saga was made public a few days before the US Open. Despite being cleared by ITIA, things may go downhill for Sinner again. After celebrating his 2nd grand slam win at the US Open, WADA’s appeal has come as a bit of a shock for the Italian.

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.”

Medvedev’s statement 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 his physio contained a prohibited substance.

In addition to understanding Sinner’s ordeal, Medvedev maintained a relatively neutral view, as he further said, “WADA does probably what they need to do. Let’s see how it finishes.” The 28-year-old was, however, sympathetic to Sinner. “Yeah, I’m the same, a little bit like Carlos. I’m sympathetic to Jannik,”- added Medvedev. But what’s actually ahead for Sinner? Will he finally face a suspension?

Suspension looms over Jannik Sinner as WADA appeals ITIA verdict 

There was hue and cry over the process followed in Sinner’s case. The information that he had failed the dope tests was not made public since the beginning and later, ITIA gave the Italian a clean chit. However, things turned bad for Sinner when WADA chose to appeal the ITIA decision, requesting for a ban lasting a year or 2 years. Sinner certainly didn’t expect this to happen only days after his US Open win.

Expressing his disappointment over WADA’s decision to appeal, Sinner 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.

Rightly so. Every athlete deserves support and a chance to fight for themselves until proven guilty. And, Jannik Sinner is doing just that.