Jannik Sinner could face lengthy doping ban as WADA launch appeal
Jannik Sinner could face a two-year suspension for doping violations committed early in 2024 after WADA announced an appeal in his case.
It was announced last month that Sinner, the world No 1, had been found to bear “no fault or negligence” after twice testing positive for banned steroid clostebol back in March.
The Italian’s first positive test came during Indian Wells and he was stripped of his prize money and ranking points from that event but faced no further sanction.
Sinner and his team were able to argue to the International Tennis Integrity Agency that he had been accidentally contaminated by former physio Giacomo Naldi, who had used a skin cream containing the steroid.
The news of the sanctions came immediately after his Cincinnati Open victory in August, and he won his second Grand Slam title of 2024 less than three weeks later at the US Open.
WADA released a statement this morning confirming the appeal, claiming that the ruling was not “correct” and that were seeking a ban between one to two years in length.
“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirms that on Thursday 26 September, it lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case of Italian tennis player, Jannik Sinner, who was found by an independent tribunal of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) to bear no fault or negligence having twice tested positive for clostebol, a prohibited substance, in March 2024.
“It is WADA’s view that the finding of “no fault or negligence” was not correct under the applicable rules. WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance.
“As this matter is now pending before CAS, WADA will make no further comment at this time.”
ATP Tour News
Carlos Alcaraz chasing crucial rankings leap after impressive opener in China
Novak Djokovic handed huge ATP Finals qualifying boost after shock results in Japan
News of Sinner’s failed drugs test dominated the build-up to the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, with some expressing surprise about the lack of suspension, and the secretive nature of the case.
Speaking ahead of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, the 23-year-old admitted he had been “worried” by the situation.
“Of course I was worried, because it was the first time for me, you know, and hopefully the last time that I am in this situation, position,” he said.
“There also a different part we have to see is the amount I had in my body, which is 0.000000001, so there are a lot of zeroes before coming up a 1.
“So I was worried, of course, because I’m always the player who was working very, very carefully in this. I believe I’m a fair player on and off the court. And yeah, that’s a bit how it all was and how it went.”
As of yet, there is no timeframe for how long the appeal could take.
Read Next: Novak Djokovic quits early and Carlos Alcaraz beats Jannik Sinner – final predictions for 2024