WADA appeals to CAS for a two-year ban on Jannik Sinner in doping case

It seems the trouble is far from over for World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the doping violation case. Just ahead of the start of the US Open, where Sinner became the first-ever Italian to win the title, his involvement in a doping case was made public. The 23-year-old player tested positive for a banned substance during the Indian Wells Masters earlier this year. Sinner tested positive for a minute amount of clostebol twice during the tournament. However, right before the Grand Slam event, he was cleared of the charges by the ITIA following three hearings. Now, WADA has taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, appealing for a ban on Sinner.

WADA moves to CAS against Jannik Sinner in the doping violation case

Jannik Sinner is currently playing at the China Open in Beijing. The World No. 1 has claimed two Grand Slam titles this season starting off with the Australian Open and rounding off with the US Open victory. However, the 2024 season of Sinner has been marred with the doping violation case. In March, Sinner tested positive for an anabolic steroid on two occasions. Despite this, he was not banned in a decision by an independent tribunal announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on August 20. The ITIA accepted his claim that the banned substance had unintentionally entered his system during a massage. The steroid was present in a spray his physiotherapist used to treat their own cut finger.

However, the case has come alive again as the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed to the Court of Arbitration of Sports. WADA has called for a two-year ban on Jannik Sinner in its appeal to the CAS. The anti-doping body, in its statement, explained that it does not agree with the ITIA’s finding of “no fault or negligence” as put forth earlier by the tribunal in Sinner’s case.

“It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules,” WADA said in a statement. “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.”

Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, has expressed his surprise at the action of WADA. Currently in action at the ATP 500 Beijing Tour, the World No. 1 ranked player explained that it’s disappointing that WADA raised the case despite the ITIA clearing him off the violation charges across three hearings.

“Im very disappointed and also surprised of this appeal, to be honest, because we had three hearings. All three hearings came out very positively for me. You know, I was not expecting it. I knew it a couple of days ago, that they were going to appeal, that today it's going to go official,” Sinner said in his statement.

"But yeah, it's surprise. We always talk about the same thing. Maybe they just want to make sure that everything is in the right position. Yeah, I'm just surprised that they appealed," the Tennis star further added.