Mumbai: It's quite the twist that Jannik Sinner is facing Nicolas Jarry in the first round of the Australian Open, especially since both have tested positive for banned substances. However, they were found to have no major fault or negligence.

Sinner, the reigning champion and world No.1 at Melbourne Park, got to play without any suspension, while Jarry ended up with an 11-month ban.

This situation really sheds light on the growing mistrust in tennis.

Sinner had two positive tests for clostebol back in March, but he successfully appealed the provisional suspension. The details were kept quiet, allowing him to continue competing while the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) looked into the matter.

During that period, Sinner climbed to the top of the rankings, and it wasn't until August—just after he won the Cincinnati Masters—that the ITIA cleared him of any wrongdoing. That was the first time anyone knew about his positive tests.

In November, it was revealed that Iga Swiatek had also tested positive for trimetazidine during an out-of-competition test in August, while she was still the world No.1. She received a one-month ban, serving 22 days in September and October, and the remaining eight days after she played in the WTA Finals and Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

The way Sinner and Swiatek have been treated has drawn a lot of criticism from fellow players, who say that tennis' governing bodies are showing favoritism.

Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champ, spoke out during the Brisbane International last week, saying, “We’ve seen many players, both past and present, suspended without even testing positive for banned substances. Some have been waiting over a year for their cases to be sorted out, so the real problem is the lack of consistency and transparency.”

Both Sinner and Swiatek are seen as the future faces of tennis. With Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal recently stepping away, the rivalry between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz is being hyped as the next big thing on the ATP tour. Meanwhile, Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam winner and currently ranked No. 2, has become one of the sport's most recognizable figures.

If both world No. 1s were caught up in a doping scandal, it would be a huge blow to the sport. Nick Kyrgios expressed his concerns at the Brisbane International, stating, “If both get caught for doping, it’s a terrible look for our sport. It’s just disgusting.”

It’s no secret that tennis organizations have made efforts to protect top players in the past. Andre Agassi and Marin Cilic have faced quiet bans before. Reports suggest that players were tipped off about testing at the 2019 French Open, 2021 US Open, and 2022 Miami Masters, allowing those who might be guilty to clear substances from their systems in time.

For those who have faced scrutiny, Sinner, Swiatek, and the ITIA claim there's been no favoritism, but the details of their situations raise some eyebrows.

“I’m just questioning how the system operates,” Djokovic said. “Why are some players treated differently than others? Maybe it’s due to their rankings, or perhaps they have more financial support or better legal representation.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has challenged Sinner's exoneration at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a hearing scheduled for later this year.

However, next week, Sinner, who has been cleared of any misconduct, will step onto Rod Laver Arena for his first match against someone who hasn’t been so fortunate.

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