The 2023 Davis Cup saw Italy come off the brink of a loss in the semifinals and win the title. Jannik Sinner saved the semifinal match between Italy and Serbia. It was expected that Novak Djokovic would lead the way, but he could not deliver in the match. Since the tie was over, there have been allegations about Djokovic avoiding doping tests.
Former cyclist Marc Madiot has come down strong against the Serbian’s behavior with the doping officials. Djokovic was asked for a drug test 90 minutes before his match against Cameron Norrie, which he spoke out about, later. Djokovic refused to do it. Madiot said, “If the anti-doping body is doing its job, Mr Novak Djokovic must be suspended.” The Frenchmen felt Djokovic was let go easy.
Djokovic stated that he would have done the test after the match. Madiot explained that the consequences would have been different in any other sport. The 64-year-old said that certain drug traces can be erased from the body within a few hours. He mentioned that cyclists don’t have the right to refuse drug testing, which should be the same for all athletes.
ITIA issues statement after Novak Djokovic doping controversy at Davis Cup
The Davis Cup might have ended this season, but the controversies are still on the rise. The doping fuss during the Serbia versus Britain match has made the ITIA release an official statement about the doping rules at the Davis Cup. It clarified the difference between doping tests during normal events and team championships. The teams are informed about the tests before the start of the match.
In its statement, ITIA said, “The first thing to say is Djokovic did not refuse the test; players choose if they prefer to do it before their match. Otherwise it will be afterwards” via Lequipe. The world No. 1 had informed his team that he would be doing the test after the match. But he was followed by a doping officer before the game. Djokovic did not want the test to interrupt his match routine.
In the Davis Cup, the teams are notified before the start of the match. This allows players to choose if they prefer to do it before their match, otherwise it will be after.
The ITIA confirmed the protocol to @lequipe:
“Djokovic did not refuse the test.”https://t.co/0Z9F2yHoj0 pic.twitter.com/S8bsISJuol— C Kristjánsdóttir ●🐊 (@CristinaNcl) November 27, 2023
The 36-year-old felt the test would have affected his form in the match. Djokovic wanted to do it after the match, as he would have gotten rest for the next tie. The doping agencies have been strictly monitoring the tour as the past 11 months have seen multiple players get caught for banned substances. The younger players, especially, have fallen victim to performance-enhancement drugs.