John McEnroe gives his opinion on Jannik Sinner’s positive drug test and his hope for the future of tennis

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Jannik Sinner enjoyed a stunning 2024 season, with the Italian reaching world number one and winning eight titles.

But Sinner could serve a ban after the 2025 Australian Open following his failed drug test, having tested positive for clostebol earlier this year.

Sinner has been training in Dubai as he steps up his preparations for the 2025 season, where he was joined by Martin Landaluce.

The young Spaniard is an alternative for the Next Gen ATP Finals, which are currently underway in Jeddah.

Arthur Fils headlines the 20-and-under tournament, with Sinner having triumphed on the main tour last month.

John McEnroe wants to ‘believe’ Jannik Sinner after positive drug test

The Italian beat Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals in Turin, with his success coming despite an ongoing drug case looming over him.

Sinner was cleared of any wrongdoing before the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged the ruling with an appeal.

READ MORE: Who is Jannik Sinner? Everything you need to know about the Italian tennis star and his rise to the top

Sharing his verdict on the situation, former world number one John McEnroe said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast: “I am on the side of willing to go along with it. I am going to believe the player. I want to believe the player.

“They said at the US Open a millionth of something was in the system, I don’t know. It sounds like nothing. I am just hopeful that this is something which doesn’t plague our sport.”

Iga Swiatek serves ban after testing positive for TMZ

Somewhat alluded to by McEnroe, Sinner hasn’t been the only tennis star involved in such a case this season, with Iga Swiatek having also failed a drug test.

Former world number one Swiatek has, however, already largely served her ban, missing out on almost one month of action between September and October.

The Pole tested positive for TMZ, a heart medication, with her ban only coming to light after she had served the majority of it.

READ MORE: Andy Murray’s former coach reacts after Iga Swiatek accused of being the most unlikeable WTA number one ever

Swiatek instead had put her lengthy absence down to a coaching reshuffle, where she did admittedly replace Tomasz Wiktorowski with Wim Fissette.

It remains to be seen what will happen to her fellow star athlete Sinner, with the powers that be potentially making an example of the Italian in a bid to try and cut down any future instances of failed drug tests, either deliberate or accidental.