What did Novak Djokovic say about Jannik Sinner's doping ban? All about Serb's latest controversial comments, pushback and coach Darren Cahill's alleged shade at Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has stirred the pot with his latest comments on Jannik Sinner's doping ban. The Italian initially tested positive for the prohibited substance clostebol in 2024. After an investigation into the matter, he was handed a three-month suspension following his triumph at the Australian Open 2025.

In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Djokovic touched upon the matter once again. When he first got to know about it, he presumed Sinner was innocent despite being shocked. However, he felt something was off with respect to how the whole episode played out, especially with the convenient timing of Sinner's ban, which ensured he didn't miss out on competing at the Majors.

"When this happened I was shocked honestly. I do think that he didn’t do it on purpose. But the way the whole case was handled is so many red flags. The lack of transparency. The inconsistency. The convenience of the ban coming between the Slams so he doesn’t miss out… it’s just… it was very very odd," Djokovic said.

While Djokovic doesn't believe that Sinner would intentionally commit such an offence, he still felt that he's responsible for his own actions. The lenient sentence awarded to him compared to some other players receiving a longer punishment for similar misdeeds didn't sit right with him either.

"I want to believe him. Knowing my history with him, I think he didn't do it on purpose, but, of course he is responsible. Because those are the rules, you are responsible when something like this happens. And so when you see someone for something very similar or the same being banned years and he's banned for a provisional 3 months or whatever it was, it's not right," he added.

Despite his misgivings around the doping saga, Djokovic tipped his hat to Sinner for his maturity surrounding the incident. He has conducted himself with grace and poise, and hasn't let it affect his results in the slightest.

"It's not easy for him. I do have a sense of empathy and compassion for him. I think he's handled the storm in the media that keeps on coming back every once in awhile. He's handling that very maturely and steadily and kudos to him for that. And in the midst of all of that he's still dominating and playing incredible, winning slams," Djokovic stated.

Djokovic's comments set the internet abuzz, with Sinner's supporters naturally being upset about his remarks. They immediately took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the Serb.

"Not him having the audacity to talk about how Jannik handled the 'storm from the media' well and still giving this interview knowing full well it's just going to contribute to it… like f**k off," one account posted.

"Pathetic sore loser. Read the rules and stop spreading misinformation," wrote one fan.

"So he missed ATP finals and messed up the groups to go talk about Jannik," one fan tweeted.

Fans weren't the only ones rallying in Sinner's support. The 24-year-old's coach, Darren Cahill, also had something to say. His latest social media post is allegedly a reaction to Djokovic's comments.

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Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill's social media post construed as an alleged dig at Novak Djokovic

Darren Cahill and Jannik Sinner at the Paris Masters 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Darren Cahill has been a part of Jannik Sinner's coaching team since July 2022. The two share a close bond, and the coach has stuck by his protege's side like a rock throughout his doping scandal. Thus, it isn't surprising to see him reacting to Novak Djokovic's latest comments on Sinner.

Cahill posted a story on Instagram on Thursday, November 13, which many have understood to be an indirect dig at Djokovic. He shared a quote from noted author Bill Bullard, in which the latter gives a critical take on human opinion. The quote is as follows:

"Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge… is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world."

With Cahill posting this just days after Djokovic's comments, on the surface it does seem like a not-so-subtle message to the 24-time Major champion. It remains to be seen whether the 60-year-old makes an official statement on the matter.