For the first time, Roger Federer has talked about Jannik Sinner’s failed drug tests and expressed his belief that the Italian celebrity did nothing wrong. But according to the former world No. 1, “the question here that needs to be answered” is the possible “inconsistency” of Sinner not missing any action following the initial suspension.

Due to the decision that Sinner had “no fault or negligence,” the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) declared last month that Sinner had escaped a ban for failing two anti-doping tests in March.

Sinner tested positive on March 10 and 18, during and after the Indian Wells Masters, for low levels of the illegal anabolic steroid clostebol.

The Italian was automatically given a provisional suspension for each test, but he quickly appealed to an independent tribunal in both cases, which resulted in his release from the suspension.

Sinner explained to the ITIA that the drug had entered his system “because a member of his support team had been applying an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol to their own skin to treat a small wound.” The ITIA accepted his explanation.

Sinner cut ties with fitness instructor Umberto Ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi prior to the 2024 US Open, stating that their errors were the cause of the positive tests.

Federer acknowledged on the Today show that he sympathized with the aggravation of those who felt Sinner was given special treatment.

“It is not something we want to see in our sport, these types of news, regardless if he did something or not, or any player did,” the 20-time Grand Slam champion said.

“I get that it’s a tricky situation. It’s the nightmare of every athlete and team to have these allegations and these problems because we fill out these forms all day every day.

It lives with you. Every morning when you wake up, you think, ‘Is somebody at the door coming to test me?’ So it’s really difficult.

I comprehend the frustration of, ‘Has he been treated the same as others?’ And I think this is where it comes down to.

I think we all trust very much that Jannik didn’t do anything, but the inconsistency potentially that he didn’t have to sit out while they weren’t 100 percent sure what was going on, I think that’s the question here that needs to be answered.

However look, it is what it is, and we need to trust the process as well of anyone involved here.”