Tim Henman believes it is a 'little too convenient' that Jannik Sinner has been banned from tennis for three months but will still be able to play at the French Open later in the year.
The 23-year-old has been handed a three-month suspension from the sport after returning two positive drug tests in 2024.
Sinner has always protested his innocence, insisting the positive tests were returned after he was inadvertently contaminated with the banned substance clostebol by his physiotherapist while receiving a massage.
Though he was initially cleared, the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Tim Henman believes it is a 'little too convenient' that Jannik Sinner has been banned from tennis for three months but will still be able to play at the French Open later in the year
SKY
In a statement released today, it was confirmed that Sinner will be banned from February 9 until May 4.
That means, however, that he'll be able to resume his career swiftly - with the French Open poised to take place this summer.
A statement from WADA read: "WADA accepts the athlete’s explanation for the cause of the violation as outlined in the first instance decision.
“WADA accepts that Mr. Sinner did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage.
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“However, under the Code and by virtue of CAS precedent, an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence.
"Based on the unique set of facts of this case, a three-month suspension is deemed to be an appropriate outcome."
Henman, speaking to Sky Sports, has now provided his verdict.
And though the tennis legend maintains he thinks Sinner is innocent of any wrongdoing, he does feel the case leaves a 'sour taste'.
"I think first and foremost, a couple of cases have sent shockwaves through tennis," he said.
"Obviously Sinner has had this cloud over his head, [Iga] Swiatek also tested positive so two of the best players in the world have had drug cases.
"With Sinner's, I want to start first and foremost to say I don't think there's any way he has been trying to cheat at any stage. I don't believe that.
"However, when I read this statement this morning, it just seems a little too convenient.
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Tim Henman believes the Jannik Sinner doping case leaves a 'sour taste' for tennis
SKY
"It seems there's words like 'agreement' and it almost seems there's been a negotiation.
"He just won the Australian Open, to miss three months of the tour and therefore be eligible to play at Roland Garros, the timing couldn't have been any better for Sinner.
"I still think it leaves a pretty sour taste for the sport...
"I'm sure we'll understand a little bit more as it's such a fresh story but it's just a bit too convenient for me right now."
Jannik Sinner recently secured his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open
REUTERS
Sinner has won three Grand Slams throughout his career.
He won both the Australian Open and US Open last year, beating Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz in those respective finals.
Sinner then secured his third major last month, overcoming Alexander Zverev in straight sets in Melbourne.
