/sportsinfo/media/member_avatars/image 59.png)
Follow Us/sportsinfo/media/media_files/2025/02/25/au0MeGsarXAY6jM6JXxx.jpeg)
Photograph: (Twitter)
Toni Nadal, the uncle of tennis legend Rafael Nadal, has expressed his opposition to Italian sensation and world number one Jannik Sinner's three-month doping ban. The 23-year-old tested positive for the banned substance clostebol during the 2024 Indian Wells Masters.
The star player initially avoided a ban by providing the substance he entered through his physiotherapist's use of an over-the-counter spray. However, after an appeal from WADA, the 2025 Australian Open champion accepted a three-month ban.
Toni Nadal, who has already served as a tournament director at the Mallorca Championship, was seen defending Jannik Sinner by stating that he knows the Italian personally and believes he had no intention at all of committing a doping offense.
Nadal has expressed surprise that many players, including some at the highest level and those with questionable pasts, have criticized Jannik Sinner's case, suggesting that they are not entirely clean themselves.
Also Read: WATCH: Aryna Sabalenka enjoys Indian Wells 2025 practice session in Los Angeles
What is the fan's reaction to Nadal's comments?
Notably, Nadal's comments have not sat well with the fans, with criticism from them who questioned his stance and suggested favoritism. Some fans have further stated that Rafael Nadal himself parted ways with Toni Nadal, though this is not related to Sinner's controversy.
Other prominent figures, like Novak Djokovic, have also voiced dissatisfaction with how Sinner's case was handled, suggesting perceived favoritism.
Toni Nadal says Jannik Sinner should not be serving any ban, ‘You have to sanction someone who intentionally does things wrong & is looking for their own benefit.. I know that's not the case with Sinner’
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 24, 2025
“I've already said it many times and explained it, I'm against the… pic.twitter.com/zBBZBsiaic
“I've already said it many times and explained it, I'm against the sanction. I know Sinner personally and he had no intention of committing a crime and you can't treat a person like that for a mistake that happened by chance. It can't be that you have that desire to supervise and sanction. You have to sanction someone who intentionally does things wrong and is looking for their own benefit. And I know that's not the case with Sinner. I know that he didn't benefit from what they found. So why do you want to sanction him?" Toni Nadal said.