The 2024 tennis season delivered plenty of twists and turns, but nothing shook the sport quite like the doping controversies involving two of its brightest stars. First, Jannik Sinner‘s double doping violations sent shockwaves through the tennis world, and just when the dust began to settle, Iga Swiatek’s name entered the storm—leaving fans and players stunned. Amid the uproar, countless voices from the tennis community have shared their thoughts. The latest to weigh in is none other than former American player and beloved commentator Mary Carillo.

The former American player and tennis commentator engaged in an interaction on the December 9 episode of The Tennis Podcast. She deliberated on various topics as she reviewed the 2024 season from her perspective. Carillo highlighted that there were several instances this year that impacted her immensely and disappointed her, and the doping saga of Sinner and Swiatek was one of them.

Speaking in the interview, Carillo said, “Let me tell you something kids. There were times this year when I had an extremely hard time functioning. It did so particularly in the second half of 2024. The Jannik Sinner provisional doping suspension threw me sideways. Remember, Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol during Indian Wells, the details about which came to light after the Cincinnati Masters this year. 

However, it was found that his ex-physio Giacomo Naldi used a spray to treat an injury on his finger which contained the substance, which led to a contamination. Hence, Sinner was let go by the investigative agencies which ruled that Sinner bore no negligence. While the dust was still not settled on his case, another controversy surrounding Swiatek came to light. Deliberating on the same, Carilo said, “That was followed by the Iga Swiatek provisional doping suspension to end the 2024 season and by then I could only throw up my hands,” expressing how she witnessed back-to-back setbacks. 

It was on November 28 when Swiatek’s doping case came into the picture through a statement issued by ITIA. It was found that Swiatek tested positive for low levels of Trimetazidine also known as TMZ, in an out-of-competition sample in August 2024 ahead of the Cincinnati Masters. However, the Pole explained to the investigative agency contamination was caused unintentionally by the contamination of one of her medications, melatonin, which was admitted by the agencies leading to her acquittal. However, it did not pacify the tennis community and besides Carillo, several others expressed their disappointment and anger. 

Reacting to the doping cases, former Russian player Yevgeny Kafelnikov took to X and demanded a life ban on any player found guilty of doping. “It should be LIFE ban for anybody who gets caught using ban substances! NO excuses and ZERO tolerance no matter who your are!!!!” Joining the fray was Nick Kyrgios who slammed both players left, right, and center. But amidst the furious and disappointed reactions that poured in, certain voices backed Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek and one of them is none other than former pro Andy Roddick.

“Bothers me endlessly” – Andy Roddick slams criticism against Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek

Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek continue to remain in hot waters with their doping controversies resurfacing time and again, despite being proven innocent in the investigation. The biggest motivation for them in such situations is from the supporters who have rallied behind both players and former US Open champion Andy Roddick is one of them.

Roddick reviewed some comments on his Served with Roddick podcast and strongly defended the sport and the players. “Some of you are gonna say lifetime ban. Yevgeny Kafelnikov said, ‘lifetime ban for melatonin.’ Sounds right,” he said. He also Kyrgios’s dramatic remarks, saying, “Our sport’s pretty f*****g great. That feels like a desperate grab for attention rather than having a moral set.” And while he did not take Kyrgios’ name directly, he ensured taking veiled jibes at him.

“A lot of people expect understanding and forgiveness for the times they’ve screwed up, but then give none of that to others. Bothers me endlessly,” he added. Now, as the star players enter the next season, it would be interesting to see how they manage to overcome the criticism and if it impacts their performance in the long run.