Novak Djokovic believes that the doping case involving Australian and US Open champion Jannik Sinner shows that tennis “has a system that is not working well”. The Italian was cleared of wrongdoing after testing positive for a banned substance, but is now the subject of a WADA appeal calling for him to be banned for up to two years. “This whole case is not helping our sport at all,” said Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic says the ongoing doping case involving world No. 1 Jannik Sinner is “not helping tennis at all” and that it points to a “system that is not working well.”

Sinner was cleared of wrongdoing by an independent tribunal after twice testing positive for banned substance clostebol in March.

But the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced on Saturday that it will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling for the Italian to be banned for “between one and two years.”

The case has divided opinions in the tennis world, with some players complaining of inconsistent punishments.

Twenty-four time Grand Slam champion Djokovic was asked for his thoughts on the matter ahead of his appearance at the Shanghai Masters this week.

“I think it’s quite obvious that we have a system that is not working well,” Djokovic said.

“I guess that’s probably something that even the people who are not following our sport are realising.

“There are way too many inconsistencies, way too many governing bodies involved. Just this whole case is not helping our sport at all.”

The months-long saga has not appeared to impact Sinner’s on-court performance, as he won his second major of the season at the US Open in August.

Sinner is the top seed in Shanghai, but suffered defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the China Open in Beijing on Monday.

Djokovic was impressed by the performances of the 23-year-old amid the backdrop of the doping case.

“I think he has won the three appeals so far that he had, and it must be very tough for him and his team and family. Hopefully, we can go back to tennis,” Djokovic said.

“It’s impressive what he has been doing, in the whole process of what’s been happening, that he’s playing such a high level, winning Grand Slams and winning most of the matches that he plays.

“But this situation or these circumstances are not positive for our sport, so hopefully we can resolve this case as soon as possible.

“Whatever’s going to happen, at the end of the day, I just wish for it to be resolved as soon as possible. That’s all I have to say about that.”

Djokovic’s comments echoed the sentiments expressed by world No. 2 Alcaraz earlier in the week.

The four-time major champion said: “I think for tennis it’s not really good, not really a good sign for tennis in general. I thought it was closed. This month I didn’t know what happened exactly.

“I just saw the news and it surprised me a little bit. Okay, what’s going on, that the case is open again? I don’t know how it’s going to be the next months. For sure, to tennis, not a good sign.”