Yevgeny Kafelnikov says he it is "not up to me judge" but thinks that Jannik Sinner's doping case damaged the Italian's reputation "a little bit."
In the spring of 2024, the Italian twice tested positive for clostebol. However, the world No. 2 didn't get a day of suspension after the ITIA determined that he bore no fault or negligence for what happened.
The WADA stepped in - contested the ITIA's ruling - and the two parties were due to appear in front of a CAS judge. But just before their scheduled court date, the WADA and the Italian tennis star settled on a three-month doping suspension, which ran between February 09 and May 04.
ADVERTISEMENT
The original explanation was that Sinner's fitness coach Umberto Ferrara bought an over-the-counter spray that was contaminated and then used by physio Umberto Ferrara while massaging the 24-year-old. That's why the ITIA initially cleared the four-time Grand Slam champion and decided against issuing any ban.
Kafelnikov, a former two-time Grand Slam champion, thinks extremely highly of the Italian's tennis but suggests the doping case took a hit on the reigning Wimbledon champion's image.
"A little bit, for sure. But its not up to me to judge. Hes great for the game of tennis. Look at whats happening in Italy right now tennis is exploding in popularity, even compared to football. The rivalry with Alcaraz is also fantastic for the sport, and hopefully it lasts for many years," 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist Kafelnikov told CLAY.
ADVERTISEMENT
What Sinner said after settling with the WADA?
While serving a three-month doping ban, Sinner maintained his innocence and suggested that he only agreed to settle because it was "the lesser evil."
In the end, you have to choose the lesser evil and I believe that is what I have done. Even if sometimes it seems a bit unfair, all that Im living, but then if I look at things from a different perspective it could have been worse. Even more unfairness. This is the way it is, the Italian said in April.
After completing his doping suspension, Sinner won his maiden Wimbledon title and won four more titles in the rest of 2025.
