Roger Federer understands frustration over Jannik Sinner doping case

NEW YORK – Roger Federer said the doping case against Jannik Sinner raises questions about whether the current world No. 1 tennis player should have been allowed to continue competing until he was acquitted of intentional use of an anabolic steroid for which he tested positive twice in March.

“That’s not something we want to see in our sport, that kind of news, whether he did something or not. Or any other player. That’s just noise that we don’t want. I understand the frustration: Was he treated the same as others? And I think that’s what it comes down to. We all basically trust that he didn’t do anything in the end,” Federer said Tuesday during an appearance on the “Today” show to promote a book of photos of him. “But the inconsistency that he might not have had to sit out while they weren’t 100 percent sure what was going on – I think that’s the question that needs to be answered here.”

Hours later, on Tuesday night, Federer received warm applause from the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium as he was introduced to the audience during the second set of the US Open quarterfinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng.

Federer smiled and waved as he was shown on the video boards in the arena.

For the 20-time Grand Slam champion, it was the first visit to this facility since he ended his competitive career. Federer had announced his retirement for 2022; he had played his last official match the year before at Wimbledon.

He is the last man to win two consecutive US Open titles: from 2004 to 2008, he won five times in a row.

Several top players were asked about Sinner, who is scheduled to face 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam tournament on Wednesday.

Rafael Nadal said on a Spanish television show on Monday that he did not believe Sinner had received preferential treatment.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced on August 20 that it had been determined that the banned performance-enhancing substance had inadvertently entered Sinner’s body through a massage by his physiotherapist, which is why the player was not banned.

“I understand the frustration: Was he treated the same as others? … We’re all pretty sure, by and large, that he didn’t do anything at the end. But the inconsistency, possibly that he didn’t have to sit out while they weren’t 100% sure what was going on – I think that’s the question that needs to be answered here.”

Roger Federer

When asked about the matter before the start of the US Open in New York, Novak Djokovic said he understood why some tennis players questioned whether there was a double standard in the sport.

“It is a delicate situation and the nightmare of every athlete and team to have these allegations and problems,” Federer said, adding: “We have to trust the process and everyone involved.”

Federer said he recently spoke with Nadal, his longtime rival on the court and friend off it. Nadal, 38, has played sparingly over the past two seasons due to injuries, including hip surgery last year, and will sit out the US Open.

It is questionable whether Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam trophies, will return to the tour.

“He can do whatever he wants,” Federer said. “He’s one of the most iconic tennis players we’ve ever had in our sport. … I just hope he can retire on his terms and in the way he wants to.”