TURIN: There “could have been better communication” in explaining the rules involved in Jannik Sinner’s doping case, ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi acknowledged Thursday.
However, Gaudenzi said at the ATP Finals that anyone hinting that a “double standard” was applied because of top-ranked Sinner’s status is “unfair because the rules have been the same.”
Sinner is playing at home this week for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.
The case wasn’t made public until August.
“I learned the day before we all learned,” Gaudenzi said in his first public comments on the case. He spoke in a round-table discussion with international reporters.
“And to be honest, I’m happy about that. I really thank the ITA (International Testing Agency) and our representatives there for intentionally keeping me and our entire team in the dark because that’s how it should be.
“It should be completely independent and that was agreed by the (parties). It was a shock, but obviously comforted by the evidence afterward.”
A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.
Sinner’s explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own cut finger.
WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.
“We are completely external and it’s (an) independent process,” Gaudenzi said. “I generally think has been a fair process. It was really done by the book and by the rules. Maybe there could have been better communication in explaining those rules, and that is something that I would urge every party involved to work better in the next time.”
ATP Finals future will be revealed
Gaudenzi said he plans to announce on Sunday the future host of the ATP Finals. The contract with Turin expires next year and there is an option to move the event to nearby Milan at a bigger arena being built for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says
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Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says
- A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September
- The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year
Mohammed Ben Sulayem re-elected unopposed in contentious FIA election
- Two would-be candidates, Swiss national Laura Villars and American former FIA steward Tim Mayer, were denied the chance to run
- A Paris court last week decided not to suspend the election but ordered a trial to examine the electoral process
PARIS: Mohammed Ben Sulayem was re-elected as president of motorsport’s governing body the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on Friday in an election in which he faced no challengers.
The Dubai-born 64-year-old was the only candidate in the vote held in Tashkent in an election that has been contested in the courts.
Two would-be candidates, Swiss national Laura Villars and American former FIA steward Tim Mayer, were denied the chance to run against Ben Sulayem due to FIA rules.
Under the Paris-based FIA election regulations, candidates are required to appoint vice presidents from each of the six global regions, chosen from a list approved by the Paris-based FIA.
But there is only one vice president listed from South America, Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone — the wife of ex-Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone — and she gave her backing to Ben Sulayem.
A Paris court last week decided not to suspend the election but ordered a trial to examine the electoral process after hearing an urgent application from Villars, a 28-year-old Swiss driver.
“The judge hearing the summary proceedings ruled that this dispute was a matter for the trial court, and we will therefore continue this lawsuit against the FIA before the trial judges. A first hearing is scheduled for February 16, 2026,” Villars’ lawyer Robin Binsard said in a statement last week.
The lawyer said that “given the challenges raised, (the election result) may be examined, questioned or annulled by the court.”
As a result Ben Sulayem, who succeeded Jean Todt at the head of the FIA in 2021, was confirmed in the post — subject to the upcoming court verdict.
“Thank you to all our FIA Members for voting in remarkable numbers and placing your trust in me once again. We have overcome many obstacles but here today, together, we are stronger than ever,” Ben Sulayem said in a statement.
‘Cleaning the house’
The FIA said in a statement that Friday’s election was “conducted in line with the FIA’s statutes through a robust and transparent voting process, reflecting the democratic foundations of the federation and the collective voice of its global membership.”
The FIA is responsible for organizing the Formula One and rally world championships, as well as promoting road safety. It has more than 240 clubs across 146 countries, representing around 80 million members.
A former rally driver, Ben Sulayem’s time at the helm of motorsport has been dogged by controversy.
He was taken to task by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for using stereotypical language when discussing the use of foul outbursts by drivers on team radios.
Drivers fell out with the FIA over its crackdown on swearing. The guidelines were strengthened in January, triggering an indignant response from drivers.
Controversial fines were later reduced after a backlash from the grid.
Ben Sulayem defended his record last weekend as he looked toward another four years at the helm of motorsport.
“I would say I am looking forward for the next four years,” he said. “Cleaning the house was not easy, getting the right people in the FIA was a challenge. Now I can tell you, it was worth the four years of investment.
“And if you tell me now ‘OK, if you have the power to rewind the four years, what would you do differently?’. Nothing.”
