Jannik Sinner learns when appeal verdict in his anti-doping case is likely to arrive
Jannik Sinner will have to wait until early 2025 to learn the outcome of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal over his failed drug tests, according to reports.
Italian newspaper la Repubblica has claimed the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Sinner’s case will arrive in 2025 and added that the ruling will “probably” come in February.
This news means Sinner will be free to play for the rest of the 2024 season and he will also likely be able to compete at the 2025 Australian Open in January before a decision is made. Sinner secured his maiden major title at the 2024 Australian Open.
The newspaper also reported that the three-arbitrator panel that will hear WADA’s appeal will feature one arbitrator selected by CAS, one by WADA, and one by Sinner.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced last month that Sinner would not receive a ban for failing two anti-doping in March after an independent tribunal ruled he was not to blame.
The Italian star tested positive for low levels of clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, on March 10 and 18 — during and after the Indian Wells Masters.
The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance had entered his body when receiving a massage from his physio, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on their finger.
It emerged on Saturday, though, that WADA had appealed to CAS to seek a ban of up to two years for Sinner.
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A statement from WADA said: “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.”
Sinner downed world No 37 Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals of the China Open in Beijing to extend his winning streak to 14 matches. The Italian won his previous two events the US Open and the Cincinnati Masters.
After the match, the world No 1 addressed the challenge of staying focused on tennis amid the saga of his anti-doping case.
“First of all, it’s not a situation I would like to be in, it’s very delicate and difficult and also different,” said the 23-year-old.
“The only thing I know is that I try to tell myself that I haven’t done anything wrong, which already puts you in an advantageous position.
“Of course I’ve had sleepless nights during this time and now it won’t be easy again. I’m disappointed to be in this situation again, but I’m just trying to stay focused somehow on my job and try to do my best to be ready for every game I play.
“But yes, it’s a difficult time for me and also for my team. It’s not just me in this alone, but also my team. I’m keeping close the people who I’m fine with and who know me as a person, they know me.”
Sinner, who is the defending champion in Beijing, will take on China’s Bu Yunchaokete in the semi-finals of the ATP 500 tournament on Tuesday.
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