" Sinner's case was a million miles away from doping. From the scientific documentation we received, it emerged that this was not a case of intentional doping , not even in micro-doses."

Ross Wenzel, General Counsel of WADA , sheds light on the matter by responding to the controversies of several tennis players (first and foremost Novak Djokovic, Kyrgios' stupidities should not even be taken into consideration) and rejects any hypothesis of special treatment reserved for the world number 1 .

However, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency, the South Tyrolean tennis player had to be "punished" in some way to reiterate the athlete's responsibility also for the actions of his staff .

The terms of the disqualification, Wenzel explains, were appropriate for the case and were not decided taking into account the calendar: "The sanctions we impose are blind to the calendar."

The South Tyrolean's suspension began on February 9 and will last until May 4: he will not miss any Slams and will return in time to participate in the Internazionali d'Italia in Rome .

"Wada - Wenzel added - has received messages from those who believe that the sanction was too high. If some say it is unfair to the athlete and others that it is not enough, perhaps it means that, although not everyone will like it, maybe it is the right one . When we look at these cases, we try to analyze them from a technical and operational point of view, and we do not do it with fear of what the public opinion, politicians or anyone else will say".

On the alleged preferential treatment of the world number 1, Wenzel specifies: « I have counted the cases of plea bargaining since the possibility was introduced. I may be wrong by one or two, but I have counted 67 ».

(Unioneonline/L)

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