The World Anti-Doping Agency has defended the three-month ban agreed for world number one Jannik Sinner, insisting his case was "a million miles from doping".
Sinner tested positive for clostebol in March last year, and after the International Tennis Integrity Agency decided not to suspend the Italian, WADA announced it had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and was seeking a two-year ban.
However, WADA announced last Saturday it had agreed an immediate three-month ban.
The sanction has been questioned and criticised by current and former players, including Novak Djokovic and former British number one Tim Henman.
However, WADA's general counsel Ross Wenzel believes the sanction level was "in the right place" for what had occurred.
"This was a case that was a million miles away from doping," he told BBC Sport.
"The scientific feedback that we received was that this could not be a case of intentional doping, including micro-dosing.
"WADA has received messages from those that consider that the sanction was too high and, in some respects, if you have some saying this is unfair on the athlete, and others saying it’s not enough, maybe it’s an indication that although it’s not going to be popular with everyone, maybe it’s an indication that it was in the right place.
"When we look at these cases we try to look at them technically, operationally and we don’t do it with fear of what the public and the politicians or anyone is going to say."
Sinner’s suspension runs from 9 February to 4 May, leaving him clear to play in the rest of this year’s grand slams, starting with the French Open.
Speaking at the Qatar Open on Monday, 24-time grand slam champion Djokovic said the "majority of the players feel like there is favouritism happening", while Henman on Saturday told Sky Sports News he found the timing and length of Sinner’s ban "a little too convenient".
Meanwhile, Andy Murray will continue to coach Novak Djokovic through to the French Open – and possibly at Wimbledon.
Djokovic confirmed the Scot had agreed to continue their partnership, which began in the build-up to last month's Australian Open.
The 24-time grand slam champion said the collaboration was "indefinite", opening the possibility of the former rivals also linking up at Wimbledon this summer.
Djokovic’s Melbourne campaign ended when he had to retire injured in the semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
Afterwards the 37-year-old said he and Murray would "cool off" before deciding whether to continue together.
"We had a chat the day after I finished the tournament and we reflected on the period we spent together," Djokovic told the ATP Tour’s media channel.
"We agreed he was going to take some time and think, speak with his family members and see if he decides to keep working.
"I expressed my desire to continue the collaboration with him so I am really glad he did accept.
"It is indefinite in terms of how long we are going to work together, but we agreed most likely in the States and some clay-court tournaments. We will see how it goes after that."
Djokovic is now over his leg injury and is playing his comeback tournament at the Qatar Open in Doha.
Murray could then join Djokovic at Indian Wells and Miami next month before the clay-court season culminates at Roland Garros in June.
Murray, who retired last year, won the first of his two Wimbledon titles by beating Djokovic in the 2013 final, one of 14 career victories over the Serbian.
"He obviously has a unique perspective on my game," added Djokovic. "He has played me and all of the current best players in the world and knows everyone well.
"He knows exactly what we need to do tactically – the evolution of my game and what needs to be improved.
"He has a positive approach and has handled the whole pressure very well as it is a completely different situation from being there as a player.
"He has been terrific with all the other team members and while it was unfortunate the way the Australian Open finished with injury, we had a great run."
