‘That cloud will follow him forever like Covid vaccine situation for me’: Novak Djokovic on Jannik Sinner’s doping violation row

Earlier this year, the 37-year-old Djokovic spoke about the Australia deportation incident that caused international headlines and even said that there was still trauma every time he approached passport control.

Novak Djokovic talks about Jannik Sinner's doping violation, likening to his Australian Open deportation controversy. (AP)

In a recent interaction with broadcaster Piers Morgan, Serbian star Novak Djokovic talked about current No.2 Jannik Sinner’s three-month long suspension due to doping violation earlier this year. Djokovic likened the controversy around Sinner to that of the row that he had faced more than three year ago at the Australian Open when he was deported for attempting to enter Australia on a medical exemption for the Covid-19 vaccine, an attempt that was denied by the Australian border authorities.

“That cloud will follow him forever like Covid vaccine situation for me,” Djokovic said on the Piers Morgan Uncensored.

Sinner had tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid, clostebol. He was, however, later cleared by an independent tribunal after he appealed that the failed tests were a result of accidental contamination. The Italian’s version was that his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, had used an over-the-counter spray which contained clostebol to treat a cut on his finger and then gave him a massage, which resulted in transdermal contamination.

“I’m gonna start by making an apology…”

Tomorrow, Piers Morgan speaks to the GOAT of tennis, Novak Djokovic.

Don’t miss it! 🔥🔥🔥

📺 https://t.co/QR11ywt8D5 @DjokerNole | @piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/FvnGe2bi0b

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 10, 2025

Sinner was cleared by the tribunal in August last year, but sacked both Naldi and his fitness Umberto Ferrara, claiming he did not feel “confident to continue” with them after “their mistakes”. He would later serve a three-month ban between February and May after settling the case with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Sinner would later rehire Ferrara citing key preparations for the Cincinnati Open and the US Open.

Story continues below this ad

Djokovic’s Covid vaccination row

Coming to Djokovic’s Covid vaccine row, the Serbian was deported from Australia in 2022 because at the time, the country was not allowing people into it without a valid vaccination certificate or a medical exemption from the vaccine. Djokovic, who has in the past spoken about his aversion to vaccinations, believed that a prior contracting and recovery of Covid, would stand as a medical exemption. The incident caused quite an outcry with Djokovic detained for five days in a hotel in Carlton, and then asked to leave the country.

Minister for Health and Aged Care GregHunt said at the time that Djokovic’s medical exemption “wasn’t valid”. “The rules are very clear. People can enter if they’re vaccinated or if they have a medical exemption. He didn’t have that… Prior infection is not a valid medical exemption.”

Earlier this year, the 37-year-old Djokovic spoke about the incident that caused international headlines and even said that there was still trauma every time he approached passport control.