Navratilova calls WADA’s action against Sinner ‘a mess’ and attacks Chinese swimmers

Former WTA star Martina Navratilova has spoken out WADA proceed to appeal Acquittal of Jannik Sinner by an independent tribunal for ITIA. The women’s tennis legend called WADA’s decision a mess and she cited the case of the Chinese swimmers (one of the most turbulent doping stories), who writes on her behalf:

“This is a mess. WADA is a disaster. Chinese swimmers are sitting still and now this? What a bad system we have.”

This is crazy. WADA is a mess. The Chinese swimmers are running and now this? What a bad system we have… https://t.co/XsvSzbUogD

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 30, 2024

The International Tennis Integrity Agency responded to WADA with a press release to reiterate that the trial that acquitted Jannik Sinner and related to the young Italian’s positive test for the doping drug Clostebol respected all the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Code.

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) recognizes the decision of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to appeal against the charge of innocence or negligence in the case of Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, issued by an independent tribunal appointed by Sport Resolutions on August 19, 2024. The trial was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Code, but ITIA recognizes and respects WADA’s right to appeal the decision of the independent tribunal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Caso Sinner, ITIA responds to WADA: “Seguite le linee guida del anti-doping code” #SkySport #SkyTennishttps://t.co/kfi2irwo9r

— skysport (@SkySport) September 30, 2024

The Italian, as he himself admitted, could not have imagined a new chapter in this sad story, having already been declared innocent in three places. This news obviously spread quickly and was commented on by many tennis players and former tennis players. Former Roland Garros winner Adriano Panatta analyzed the story and explained how WADA – according to Panatta himself – acted on a political issue:

“WADA has every right to appeal, but its statement of reasons immediately states that Sinner will not lose any points or money in the tournaments already played. This means that even according to WADA itself, Jannik did not use doping and that was also for the squad quite clear. The amount of Clostebol found in his body only did it for a political issue. To me, WADA only did it for a political issue, as if to justify its own existence. The TAS will then do the latter pronounce the verdict The absurd thing is that he has to play at the highest level with this sword of Damocles hanging over a political issue. Scientists have said that he is innocent, it would be a revolution, because this goes against all logic Boy is an example to everyone and he is clean, I hope those who have to judge him are too.”

Sinner’s doping issue has shed light on a story that has probably not received much attention in the international sports media before. It is about the four-year ban imposed on Stefano Battaglino for testing positive for Clostebol during a tournament played in Morocco, the same substance found in Jannik’s urine on March 10 and 18.

Battaglino, former ATP number 760, has failed, according to the CAS tribunal – which he appealed to to try to reduce the ban – to prove the source of the positive test and that there was therefore an involuntary infection. Now that WADA has decided to appeal to the CAS in Lausanne and ask for a one or two year ban for Sinner, Battaglino has given an interesting interview explaining his position.

“Given the way they have treated me, Sinner is unfortunately at risk. I hope it is only the six months of the light sentence, and not the year or two years of the medium and heavy sentences. However, I hope with all my heart that they be acquitted.” But if they acquit him, they have made a mistake against me. It would be nice if I at least understood the benchmark. If they were to give me the maximum sentence, they couldn’t give it a week. The difference between my case and his is that Jannik has a personal staff. And to find the physiotherapist, all I had to do was pick up the phone. However, in my case the physio was working for the tournament and for months it was impossible to find him. He did not respond until two days before the end of the second trial. Too late,” he explained.

For the FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, WADA appealed the decision of an independent tribunal, a political move to attack the #1 and restore their credibility.

This is the statement from ITIA: “The process was carried out according to WADA guidelines”

FIRST TIME EVER? pic.twitter.com/vH79KlTXon

— Janniksin_Updates (@JannikSinner_Up) September 30, 2024