“This question must be answered”

Roger Federer has denounced open questions in the doping scandal surrounding world number one Jannik Sinner. The Italian was acquitted shortly before the US Open after two positive doping tests. The public had not heard anything about the proceedings until the acquittal.

“I think we all pretty much trust that Jannik didn’t do anything,” the Basel native said on NBC’s “Today” show on US television.

“But the possible discrepancy that he didn’t have to sit out while they weren’t 100 percent sure what was going on – I think that question needs to be answered.”

You have to trust the process, but: “I understand the frustration: Was he treated the same as others?” asked Federer.

After two positive tests in March for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol, Sinner was acquitted two weeks ago by an independent court, according to the responsible tennis agency Itia.

The Australian Open winner’s explanation that the banned substance had accidentally entered his body through a massage was considered conclusive.

“This is something we don’t want to see in our sport, this kind of news, regardless of whether he did something or not,” said the 20-time Grand Slam winner. “I understand it’s a tricky situation.” It’s every athlete’s and team’s nightmare to have these allegations and problems.”

Novak Djokovic had already denounced unequal treatment of other tennis professionals in the doping scandal surrounding Sünder. “I understand the players’ frustration because there is a lack of consistency.” “We see a lack of standardized and clear protocols,” said the 37-year-old Serb in New York.

Despite the fuss, Sinner is in the quarterfinals of the US Open, where he will face world number 5 Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday.