WADA whacks world number one Jannik Sinner with three month doping ban

Shockwaves were sent through the tennis world as it was announced that WADA had reached an agreement with Sinner to drop their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), in return for the Italian being banned from professional tennis until May.

The settlement comes prior to the hearing of WADA's appeal of the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) ruling to the CAS in April, with a one or two-year ban highly likely - should the appeal have been successful.

As a result, the appeal has now been dropped, but the 2025 Australian Open champion cannot compete professionally until May 5th, just before the Italian Open in Rome.

In an official statement released shortly after the announcement, the three-time Grand Slam champion 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.

"I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise WADA's strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love.

"On that basis, I have accepted WADA's offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a 3-month sanction."

Sinner's lawyer said: "I am delighted that Jannik can finally put this harrowing experience behind him.

"WADA has confirmed the facts determined by the Independent Tribunal. It is clear that Jannik had no intent, no knowledge, and gained no competitive advantage. Regrettably, errors made by members of his team led to this situation."

It was in March, during the Indian Wells Open, when the highest-ranked male singles player in the world failed two separate doping tests. The tests were positive for small levels of clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid.

The shocking results remained unknown to the public until August, when it was announced that Sinner's appeal of his suspension was successful with an independent tribunal - convened by the ITIA - which determined that he bore 'no fault or negligence'.

The Italian's story followed that his physiotherapist, Giocomo Naldi, purchased an over-the-counter spray to treat a minor cut on Naldi's finger, and later used it for that purpose during Indian Wells. Subsequently, according to the team, Sinner then received multiple massages from his physio, who failed to wear gloves, and the steroid inadvertently entered his body through 'skin lesions.'

However, WADA was quick to appeal the tribunal's decision, arguing that "the finding of 'no fault or negligence' was not correct under the applicable rules."

In late August, Sinner parted ways with Naldi and fitness coach Umberto Ferrara.

A hearing of the appeal at the CAS was scheduled for April 16th-17th, but this has now been adjourned, due to the settlement.

Meanwhile, the ATP is happy that the matter has been resolved but they also gave a warning to all players.

"This case is an important reminder of players' responsibility to carefully manage the products and treatments they or their entourages use. We welcome the conclusion of this matter," it said.

As a result of the ban, the world No. 1 will drop 2,100 ranking points and is forced to miss the Qatar Open, as well as the first four Masters 1000 events of 2025. Sinner was the defending champion in Miami, and was also attempting to defend semi-finalist points at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Although he also lost in the semi-final of the Indian Wells Open last year, those ranking points and prize money were stripped after the initial ITIA ruling in August.

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