A curious parallel has emerged surrounding Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. Top ranked tennis players. Unintentional exposure(as explained by players themselves) to banned substance. Doping news not revealed immediately. Lenient punishments. Way too many similarities, no? Interestingly, a former ATP pro, Andy Roddick, has been supporting them lately and believes they are not guilty. However, he thinks that Sinner’s at fault here, more than Swiatek. And it’s not due to the Fox’s negligence – but someone else’s!

For those unaware, Sinner’s physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, used the spray on a cut on his hand and then subsequently gave Sinner a massage on his back and applied treatments to his feet. The physio was using an over-the-counter spray containing Clostebol on their skin to heal a small wound. Unfortunately, it got in contact with Sinner and entered his system. On the other hand, Iga Swiatek took her medication, Melatonin, that was contaminated with the prohibited substance Trimetazidine (TMZ). Her team wasn’t aware of it in the first place. But it can’t be said for Sinner, according to Roddick.

In an episode of his Served Podcast, dated December 3, former American player and 2003 US Open winner said, “Swiatek taking a melatonin at 2.30 in the morning doesn’t mean she wasn’t being careful.” On the other hand, “the trainer for Sinner, different story.” While bringing Jannik’s physio under scanner, he said, “That was irresponsible, completely. I don’t think he knew, but yeah”.

Shortly before his victory at the U.S. Open, Sinner parted ways with his physio, Umberto Ferrara and Naldi. Subsequently, WADA appealed the initial ruling on his positive drug test, seeking a potential one- to two-year ban. Per Roddick, Sinner’s physio should have taken adequate measures before giving the massage. Maybe he was aware of the substance present in the cream that he applied on his wound. Hence, he could have easily avoided the contact. And hence the potential ban!

Meanwhile, the ex-American player has been constantly defending the Fox over his doping case.

Andy Roddick backs Jannik Sinner amid the doping controversy

In a previous episode of his podcast, last month, the former ATP pro expressed his honest feelings on Sinner. Defending him over the doping scandal, he said, “I can’t believe for the life of me that he’d risk his career for something with no benefit. That’s not just my opinion—that’s science, if we still trust it. If someone was going to dope, they’d go all in, especially someone with Sinner’s resources. It’s a crappy situation. Is he at fault? Maybe, but intent matters. It’s a shame for tennis.”

He wanted to imply that someone like Jannik can never indulge in taking banned substances for enhancing performance. While attacking those criticizing Sinner, Roddick added, “When people demand patience for their own mistakes but rush to judge others, it shows a lack of grace. The ‘rules are rules’ crowd often overlooks precedents when it suits them. If fairness isn’t based on consistent precedents, then it’s not fairness at all.”

As of now, he wants people to wait for the final verdict before jumping to any kind of conclusion. The judgment from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), is set for next year, after February 11, 2025. Do you think the two-time Grand Slam champion will emerge victorious in this most challenging match of his career? Or will he receive a ban, eventually? Let us know in the comments below.