World number two Novak Djokovic stated his disappointment after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decided to only reduce his friend Viktor Troicki’s suspension for doping violation from 18 months to 12 months. On July 15 this year, the ITF has suspended Troicki for failing to provide blood sample at the Monte Carlo Masters earlier this year. Troicki defended himself saying that the doping control officer at that time said that he could take the test the next day (the officer has denied the claim).
“It’s very bad news that we got for him, and for me, for all of us who are close to him,” Djokovic said. “But I think it’s just not bad news for him, it proves again that this system of WADA and anti-doping agency does not work.
“Why am I saying that? Because, first of all, as a tennis pro, our job is to play, of course, tennis and respect all the rules and know all the rules of our sport. But when you are randomly selected to go and provide the test, blood test or urine test, the representatives of WADA, anti-doping agency who are there in the tournament, are supposed to give you the clear indications and explain you the rules and regulations and what the severe consequences or penalties that you might undertake or you might have if you fail to provide the test. The representative, she didn’t do that in his case. So first of all he’s not positive on any banned substance. I’m not saying that it’s completely not his fault, but the way it was is that he had a medical pass where he was fainting, if he feels bad when he provides the blood test. He asked if it’s possible to avoid providing blood test that day and he would come the next day—not because he wanted to hide anything, he just felt bad.
“She did not clearly present him all the severe consequences that he will have if he avoids that. She told him that he needs to write a report and that he will be just fine. And because of her negligence and because of her unprofessionalism, he is now off the tour for one year. And now it makes me nervous as a player, to do any kind of test. And I heard Andy Murray also said that he wants to take some actions into making sure that he has the independent laboratory also following his tests that he provides to WADA and IDTM. I don’t have trust in them anymore.”
