TENNIS: SINNER ACCEPTS THREE-MONTH BAN FOR DOPING VIOLATION, RETAINS WORLD NO. 1 RANKING

World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner has reached an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding a sanction for a Clostebol violation. Under this consensual settlement, Sinner will be suspended from February 9 to May 4, though he will be permitted to resume training from April 13.

WADA acknowledged that Jannik Sinner "had no intention to cheat and that his exposure to Clostebol provided no performance-enhancing benefit." However, WADA stated that the exposure "occurred without his knowledge as a result of the negligence of members of his entourage but, based on the code and by virtue of the CAS precedent, an athlete is responsible for the negligence of the entourage."

WADA's Rationale for the Sanction

WADA explained the path to the settlement: "In September, WADA filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Sinner's case, which had been ruled by an independent tribunal as neither guilty nor negligent." The agency continued, "Despite the appeal, the circumstances of the specific case led WADA to conclude a settlement agreement, in accordance with Article 10.8.2 of the World Anti-Doping Code, to ensure a fair and appropriate outcome."

WADA also confirmed that it did not seek the disqualification of any results beyond what had been previously imposed by the first-instance tribunal. Both the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), who were involved in WADA's appeal, did not appeal the initial decision and have accepted the settlement.

Impact on Sinner's Season

As a result of the three-month ban, Jannik Sinner will miss four Masters 1000 events (Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid). He is expected to make his return to competition at the Italian Open, ahead of Roland Garros.

Despite the suspension, Sinner's World No. 1 ranking is guaranteed until the start of the clay-court season. The hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne will no longer proceed, concluding the case. Sinner is set to return to the court for the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2025, scheduled from May 7 to 18.