Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner has agreed to a three-month ban following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, bringing an end to a year-long case that has been looming over him. The agreement stems from two positive doping tests almost a year ago. The World Anti-Doping Agency had initially sought a one-year ban for the three-time Grand Slam champion after the International Tennis Integrity Agency decided not to suspend Sinner due to accidental contamination by a banned anabolic steroid last March.
The 23-year-old Italian’s explanation that trace amounts of Clostebol in his doping sample resulted from a massage by a trainer who had used the substance after cutting his finger was accepted. Fortunately, the timing of the ban means Sinner will not miss any upcoming Grand Slam tournaments, including the French Open scheduled to start on May 25.
Expressing relief over the settlement, Sinner, who clinched victory at the Australian Open in January, stated, “This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year.” He acknowledged his responsibility for his team and the importance of WADA’s strict rules in safeguarding the sport. Consequently, Sinner has accepted WADA’s offer for a three-month suspension to resolve the proceedings.
WADA, based in Montreal, had initially appealed the ITIA’s ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, but has since withdrawn the appeal. The agency accepted Sinner’s explanation for the violation, recognizing that he did not intend to cheat and that the exposure to Clostebol was unintentional and without performance-enhancing benefits.
The suspension period for Sinner is from February 9 to May 4. He has posted a video on Instagram showcasing his training in Doha at the Qatar Open, with plans to participate in an exhibition in Las Vegas next month. Sinner is expected to make his return at the Italian Open in Rome, starting on May 7.
Italian Tennis and Padel Federation president Angelo Binaghi referred to the case as a “shameful injustice,” noting that the ban’s conclusion signifies the end of a distressing period for Sinner. Binaghi emphasized Sinner’s innocence and expressed anticipation for his return at the Italian Open. Sinner’s lawyer, Jamie Singer, highlighted that the athlete can finally move past this ordeal, emphasizing that errors by his team members led to the situation.
The handling of Sinner’s case had sparked concerns about inconsistent standards within the sport. Despite the positive tests being disclosed only in August after Sinner’s successful appeal against a provisional ban, he proceeded to win the U.S. Open in September. Novak Djokovic echoed the sentiment, acknowledging a lack of consistency in such matters.
In the singles rankings, Sinner currently maintains a lead of 3,695 points over the second-ranked Alexander Zverev. However, Sinner faces a loss of 1,600 points due to the ban, affecting his standings from previous titles. Zverev could potentially ascend to the top spot if he secures multiple victories during Sinner’s absence.
