Jannik Sinner banned for three months due to failed dope test

Jannik Sinner will miss out on defending his ATP 1000 Miami Open title following three-month man.

Jannik Sinner has been handed a three-month ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), effective immediately. The Italian World No. #1 has accepted a period of ineligibility between February 9 and May 4. While he will be able to play the French Open, Sinner will not be able to defend his 2024 Miami Open title.

Sinner initially tested positive for low levels of clostebol back in March 2024. An independent panel by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), determined that the banned substance was administered unintentionally by his physiotherapist. The Italian was cleared of any wrongdoing and allowed to resume his career. Sinner was, however, stripped of his points and prize money at Indian Wells in 2024.

The World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the ITIA decision absolving Sinner of any negligence in September to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). WADA was seeking a ban of up to two years on the Italian player. The hearing for the case had been set for April 16 at the CAS. 

The World Anti-Doping Agency on Saturday accepted that the 23-year-old had no intention of cheating, and it accepts that he was unknowingly administered closetobol by his physiotherapist. WADA entered into a resolution agreement in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code. The appeal to the CAS by WADA has now been withdrawn.

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Sinner will now miss the ATP 500 events in Doha and Dubai this month. He will also be unable to play Masters events at Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo, and Madrid, besides being unable to defend his title in Miami. The suspension ends just three days before the ATP 1000 event in Rome begins. 

The Italian’s ban gives room for his rivals to catch up, as Sinner will lose 2000 ATP points during the three months. The World No. #1 is currently 3195 points ahead of World No. #2 Alexander Zverev. Sinner has dropped 500 points after deciding not to defend his Rotterdam win from 2024.

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