Borg Discusses Tennis Doping Issues: Admits Some Players Violated Rules, Expresses Surprise Over Sinner Case

Since the US Open this year, Sinner's doping issues have been mentioned less and less. The "Sinner-Karatsev peak" topic has dominated tennis discussions.

However, recently tennis icon Björn Borg, in an interview with BBC Breakfast, not only discussed the widely debated doping problems in tennis but also commented on Jannik Sinner's drug testing scandal and shared details about his cancer health status.

As a tennis superstar who won 11 Grand Slam singles titles from the 1970s to early 1980s and held the world number one ranking for 109 weeks, Borg's statements attract great attention. He frankly admitted that doping was a prominent issue in his playing days, saying, "I am certain some players used substances they shouldn’t have," though he did not name anyone specifically. He emphasized that the frequent drug testing of players today is positive and "crucial for maintaining the sport's integrity."

Regarding the controversial Sinner doping case, Borg expressed that the details of the incident surprised him. Sinner tested positive twice in March 2024, and in August 2024, the International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted his explanation that the positive results were due to contamination from a team member, ruling him "not at fault or negligent." However, after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed, Sinner eventually reached a settlement and received a three-month suspension from February to May 2025.

“If it had happened only once, it might have been understandable, but it occurred twice, which is very strange,” Borg admitted he was unclear about the full details, adding, “I sincerely hope nothing serious happened.”

Beyond tennis topics, Borg also spoke about his health. Earlier this year, he revealed in his upcoming autobiography, "Heartbeat," that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, news that shocked the tennis world. Although his condition has eased, he still faces challenges, saying, “Doctors told me there are dormant cancer cells in my body, so this will be a long battle. I undergo check-ups every six months; I just had one two weeks ago. This is a reality I must accept and live with.”

It is worth noting that despite his recent illness, Borg has remained active in tennis and served as the captain of the European team at the 2024 Laver Cup for the last time, continuing to contribute to the sport. Meanwhile, doping issues have frequently surfaced in tennis lately; over the past 18 months, several players, including Sinner and Swiatek, have violated drug testing rules, bringing the topic back into the spotlight.

Clearly, although the Sinner doping case has reached a conclusion, it remains highly controversial among fans and continues to raise doubts within the tennis elite. It is uncertain whether this controversy partly explains why Sinner did not participate in this year's Laver Cup.

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