John Millman Champions ‘Team Sinner’ Amidst Fierce Doping Ban Controversy

The tennis community has largely expressed disappointment over Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension for doping, but not everyone shares that sentiment.

John Millman has opted to take a different stance. The world No. 1 and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reached a settlement regarding the ban, allowing Sinner to return on May 5 without relinquishing his top ranking, missing any Grand Slam events, or forfeiting the titles and prize money he accumulated after testing positive for a prohibited anabolic steroid last March.

Three-time Grand Slam titlist Stan Wawrinka shared his thoughts on X, stating: “I don’t have faith in a clean sport anymore.”

Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios added: “Fairness in tennis is non-existent. Clearly, Sinner’s team has gone to great lengths to secure a three-month ban that forfeits no titles or prize money. Are they guilty or not? It’s a shameful day for tennis.”

Former Australian player Millman, now a respected analyst with Nine, expressed that the outcome feels “somewhat convenient.” He continued, “He won’t miss any significant Grand Slam opportunities.” On Nine’s Weekend Today, Millman shared, “Many players feel that there is inconsistency. Those lacking Sinner’s profile often don’t get their cases heard or adjudicated swiftly, which contributes to a sense of frustration.”

Sinner’s claim that trace amounts of Clostebol in his sample stemmed from a massage with a trainer who used the substance after suffering an injury was ultimately deemed acceptable.

“I will defer to the experts on this matter,” Millman acknowledged. “It was unanimously concluded that it wasn’t performance-enhancing. Who am I to dispute that? When you consider it, the amount of the substance in his system was minuscule—56,000 times smaller than a grain of salt.”

“The conclusion was made that it didn’t enhance performance, and we must respect that verdict, as did WADA,” Millman added.

World No. 8, Daniil Medvedev remarked, “I hope that in future, everyone can negotiate with WADA and defend themselves as well as Jannik Sinner has.”

Former British No. 1 Tim Henman commented on Sky Sports, “After reading the statement this morning, it feels somewhat too convenient. Having just won the Australian Open, Sinner is missing three months on tour, meaning he will be back in time for Roland Garros. The timing is extraordinary, but it definitely casts a shadow over the sport.”

The Professional Tennis Players Association, spearheaded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, also responded via X, issuing a statement that critiqued the decision-making process. “The ‘system’ is a façade. What is meant to be ‘case-by-case discretion’ is, in reality, a front for tailored agreements, inconsistent treatment, and erratic rulings. It goes beyond different outcomes for players and reflects a glaring lack of transparency and proper process,” the statement read.

“What we see is inconsistencies. There is a growing lack of credibility in the myriad of agencies that regulate our sports and athletes,” Millman stated.

While acknowledging the critics’ perspectives, Millman affirmed, “Players are entitled to their opinions.”

“I believe Sinner is advantageous to the sport and has performed exceptionally well given the challenges he faced…”

The management of Sinner’s situation has highlighted allegations of double standards in the sport. The positive tests were not disclosed until August, following Sinner’s successful appeal against an initial provisional ban.

He then triumphed at the US Open in September.

In contrast, five-time major champion Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension in November after testing positive for trimetazidine. The world No. 2 had also failed a drug test in August, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted her explanation as unintentional.

“WADA is contemplating revising their thresholds,” Millman shared. “This may mean that if something doesn’t enhance performance and is below a certain level, it won’t reach this stage.” He added, “There will be ramifications from this case, but as for me, I’m on Team Sinner. I’m eager to see him once again assert his dominance on the world stage.”

Sinner has been training in Doha ahead of the Qatar Open next week and is also slated to participate in an exhibition match in Las Vegas next month.

The suspension is effective from February 9 to May 4, meaning he could make his return at the Italian Open in Rome, beginning May 7.

Millman remarked, “He’s the Ice Man. He has triumphed under immense pressure throughout his career. I suspect he’ll relish this three-month break—perhaps in the Dolomites—return rejuvenated, and remain the player to beat at Roland Garros.”

Sinner, who clinched the Australian Open in January, expressed, “This situation has loomed over me for nearly a year, and the process could have dragged on even longer.” He continued, “I recognise my responsibility toward my team and acknowledge the importance of WADA’s stringent regulations for the sport I hold dear. Accordingly, I’ve agreed to this resolution involving a three-month sanction.”

His solicitor in London, Jamie Singer, stated, “I’m thrilled that Jannik can finally move past this arduous experience. WADA has reaffirmed the facts established by the Independent Tribunal. It is evident that Jannik neither intended nor knew about this situation, and he did not gain any competitive advantage. Unfortunately, mistakes made by his team contributed to this issue.”

In the singles rankings, Sinner currently holds a substantial lead over No. 2 Alexander Zverev by 3,695 points. Sinner stands to forfeit 1,600 points due to this ban—1,000 points for his Miami Open win last March, 400 points from reaching the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals in April, and 200 points for his quarter-final finish at the Madrid Open.

If Zverev claims multiple titles during Sinner’s absence, he could potentially overtake the top ranking.