Doping charge catches up with Jannik Sinner, World No.1 banned for three months

The doping charges that hindered the 2024 season for Jannik Sinner have finally caught up with the current World No.1. The Italian had a breakthrough run last season on the ATP Tour, claiming eight titles, including his maiden Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open. The 23-year-old Italian further mounted title victories at the US Open and the ATP Finals in Turin. However, for over half the season, Sinner battled through the doping case. In what first emerged during the Indian Wells tournament last year, the Italian will now miss three months of the ongoing season. With the CAS and WADA triggering proceedings in his case, a ban has now been ruled for the top-ranked player.

WADA and Jannik Sinner settle on a three-month ban for the World No.1 in doping case

Jannik Sinner tested positive for trace amounts of clostebol twice during the Indian Wells tournament last season. The Italian, however, didn't face any major repercussions at the time, as he successfully appealed the charges with the ITIA. Sinner, in his argument, claimed that the banned substance had entered his system indirectly through an OTC medication that one of his support staff used to treat a cut on his finger. The ITIA, in an independent tribunal, accepted Sinner's claim and ruled "no fault or negligence" on the Italian’s part.

However, the case was reopened by WADA just ahead of the US Open last season. Not content with ITIA's decision, WADA took the case to CAS while Sinner continued his unbeaten run in the season. While WADA did not allege any direct fault on Sinner’s part, the anti-doping body called for the Italian to take responsibility for his team's actions, asking CAS to charge him with negligence. In its appeal, WADA sought a two-year ban for the Italian. However, in a settlement that has now taken shape, Sinner will face a three-month suspension, as WADA explained that the player did not gain any performance-enhancing edge from the substance.

"Sinner did not intend to cheat, and his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage," WADA said in its latest statement. “However, under the code and by virtue of [Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)] precedent, an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence. Based on the unique set of facts in this case, a three-month suspension is deemed to be an appropriate outcome," the statement added.

Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, agreed with WADA's stance, explaining that the move safeguards the sport. While he maintains his stance on unknowingly coming into contact with clostebol, Sinner took responsibility for his entourage. Moreover, with the case lingering over his career for nearly a year, Sinner accepted WADA's sanction to resolve it once and for all.

“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,” Sinner said in his statement. “I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize 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 three-month sanction.”

While Jannik Sinner had been looking forward to the Qatar Open in Doha, the World No.1-ranked player is now expected to head home. With the three-month suspension, Sinner, at the earliest, can return to the ATP Tour at the Italian Open in Rome, starting on May 7. In the meantime, the top-ranked ace will miss key ATP tournaments in Miami, Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, and Madrid. However, fortunately for Sinner, the ban does not interfere with the Grand Slam schedule, with his return set just weeks ahead of the French Open, which starts on May 25.