Tennis is dealing with doping issues properly, says Todd Woodbridge

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Australian Open, the season’s first Grand Slam tournament, is popularly called the ‘Happy Slam’.

Two players who will be desperate for it to be so are men’s World No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner, and women’s World No. 2 and five-time Major winner Iga Swiatek.

The duo failed dope tests last year, with Sinner provisionally suspended – later overturned – and Swiatek accepting a one-month ban in November.

But more than the perceived offences, what caused consternation among their peers – 24-time Slam winner Novak Djokovic included – was the total secrecy. The World Anti Doping Agency has since appealed Sinner’s exoneration and a decision is expected after the Australian Open.

But doubles legend Todd Woodbridge, winner of 16 men’s doubles Majors, said that the issue will not cloud proceedings at Melbourne. “One of the great positives to come out of those cases is that our sport is dealing with them properly,” the Australian told select media.

“There was so much negativity about Simona Halep’s process and how long it took (more than a year), but you should be innocent until proven guilty. Sinner and Swiatek were able to show the cause and the effect, and it has allowed everybody to get back to normal.”

Woodbridge, in fact, rated Sinner’s chances highly. “He is the best player in the world right now and been the most consistent. But he hasn’t defended a Slam title yet. It is different mentally. Great players like Novak look at it as a singular new tournament rather than a title-defence. That’s what Sinner has to contemplate”.