John McEnroe weighs in on Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek doping cases

Drug testing has become a hot topic in tennis this year after Sinner and Swiatek, both reigning Grand Slam singles champions, failed tests in 2024.

ATP world No 1 Sinner, the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion, twice tested positive for clostebol in March 2024.

The Italian was found of "no fault" and handed no suspension by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after proving he had been contaminated by his former physio, who had used a skin cream containing the substance.

Reigning Roland Garros women's singles champion and WTA world No 2 Swiatek was handed a one-month suspension by the ITIA last month after testing positive for TMZ.

The Pole was found to be of "no significant fault" after successfully proving that the melatonin medication she used had been inadvertently contaminated with the banned drug.

Sinner and Swiatek's positive tests and the handling of their cases have attracted controversy, with some suggesting that the two major champions may have received preferential treatment.

Others, perhaps most notably ATP Tour player Nick Kyrgios, have argued that the punishments both have received have not gone far enough.

Sinner's case is currently being appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, who are looking to secure a further suspension, with yet no decision as to whether Swiatek's case will be appealed.

Speaking on Served with Andy Roddick, tennis great McEnroe admitted that sometimes it was natural to have scepticism regarding the circumstances of some doping cases.

However, the former world No 1 revealed he always wants to "believe the player" when it came to such cases.

He said: "As someone who loves to see sports played at a high level, it would be an absolute shame to think that either of these two players would be involved in something like that.

"Sometimes when you hear the stories, you're like: 'What? Really? The masseur had a cut and gave it [the spray] and then you massage it and there somehow happened.' But you know I'm on the side of willing to go with it.

"I want to believe the player because I don't know, like you know they said at the US Open a millionth of something in the system. I don't know what one millionth is, it sounds like absolutely nothing but you know, I don't know.

"So, I'm not the right guy to ask - I'm just hopeful that this is something that doesn't plague our sport."

Swiatek will play her first official match since news of her suspension emerged next week at the United Cup, with action beginning on December 27th.

Meanwhile, Sinner will not play a competitive match until his Australian Open title defence begins on January 12th.

READ MORE: Iga Swiatek's coach fires back following Nick Kyrgios doping criticism