Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic is set to launch a lawsuit against a Canadian journalist who suggested that he is serving a silent ban from the tour after failing a drugs test.
In an article for Canadian sports channel Réseau des sports, journalist Hélène Pelletier wrote that she had heard from ‘friends and colleagues’ that the Serbian is currently serving a ban in secret. Furthermore, she alleged that Djokovic was being protected by the ATP.
“After talking to friends and colleagues who are connected to the world of international tennis and travelling full-time on the circuit, some of them seem to think that Novak Djokovic, who has ended his season, have been convicted of doping and that he is being protected by the ATP.” She wrote.
The idea of players serving silent bans have been rigorously denied by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The terms described an athlete who is allowed to serve their doping suspension without the public being informed. Earlier this week the ITF outlined their procedure in an email to Ubitennis.
“The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme announces provisional suspensions, but otherwise there is no announcement until the end of a hearing process. There is no such thing as a silent ban.” A representative said.
Djokovic in legal talks
In the wake of the allegation, which was first published on August 4th, Djokovic has already held talks with his lawyers concerning a potential case. In a statement given to Hello magazine Serbia, a member of Djokovic’s team confirmed that they have already consulted with the ATP.
“Novak was on vacation yesterday (Monday) and immediately consulted with lawyers. We also heard from ATP, and on this basis we will evaluate what to do with it.” The representative said.
“He has never sued the media until now, even though they have published many false stories many times. Tennis players do not give much information about injuries due to competition and there is plenty room for speculation.”
Former Davis Cup captain Radmila Armenulic has also slammed Pelletier’s article. He has accused the journalist of deliberately targeting Djokovic because of his nationality. Armenulic was Serbia’s Davis Cup captain until 1997.
“What did they not write (this) when Federer made a break when Nadal made a break? Then they did not write such a thing, but now they write about Novak, and that’s just because it’s from Serbia.” He told informer.rs.
It is not the first time that a member of the ‘big four’ has been accused of doping. Rafael Nadal was accused of using banned substances by the former French secretary of sport, Roselyne Bachelot, in 2016. The Spaniard, who denied her accusation, later took her to court.
