In a recent interview with TODAY, retired tennis legend Roger Federer expressed his concern over the controversy surrounding Jannik Sinner, who is currently competing for the U.S. Open title despite having tested positive for a banned substance earlier this year. Federer emphasized that such news is unwelcome in the sport, regardless of whether the player is guilty or innocent.

Sinner, the top-ranked tennis player in the world, tested positive twice for the anabolic steroid clostebol in March. However, he was not suspended as an inquiry conducted by the International Tennis Integrity Agency determined that the 23-year-old Italian star had accidentally ingested the substance.

Acknowledging the complexity of the situation, Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, sympathized with athletes who face the constant fear of being wrongly accused. The tennis superstar revealed the daily apprehension that comes with the possibility of being tested and questioned the impact of such allegations on athletes and teams.

The decision not to suspend Sinner has drawn criticism from tennis fans who argue that he received preferential treatment compared to other players who have been suspended until proven innocent in similar cases. After testing positive, Sinner successfully appealed a provisional suspension, enabling him to continue playing.

The ITIA released a statement on August 20, stating that Sinner bore "no fault or negligence" for the positive tests. The Italian player attributed the presence of clostebol in his system to contamination by a member of his support team, who had been using an over-the-counter spray containing the banned substance to treat a small wound. Scientific experts corroborated Sinner's explanation, deeming it credible.

While expressing his belief in Sinner's innocence, Federer acknowledged the concerns regarding the inconsistency in allowing him to continue participating while the investigation was ongoing. The Swiss legend called for clarity in addressing this issue, emphasizing the importance of trusting the process and all parties involved.

At present, Sinner holds the number one seed in the U.S. Open and has reached the quarterfinals. He is scheduled to face fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev on September 4. Sinner had previously defeated Medvedev in January to claim his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

As the tournament unfolds, tennis enthusiasts await answers and a resolution to the questions surrounding Sinner's case while hoping for a fair and transparent process that upholds the integrity of the sport.