Jannik Sinner Doping Case: WADA appeals Italian star's acquittal to CAS, seeks ban

Jannik Sinner was found not guilty of negligence by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). 

In a setback to Jannik Sinner, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed against the Italian’s exoneration by the ITIA in August. Sinner twice tested positive for clostebol, a prohibited substance, in March 2024. Following a hearing, he was cleared by an independent tribunal of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for the two anti-doping violations.

The Montreal-based WADA announced on Saturday, August 28th, that it was appealing the decision of the ITIA at the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport. The anti-doping agency filed the appeal on Thursday, September 26th, seeking a suspension of the ATP No. 1 and the 2024 US Open champion for up to two years.

Sinner provided a sample during the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells in March 2024 and a second sample after the competition ended. Both samples tested positive for low levels of clostebol. The Italian successfully appealed the provisional suspensions that followed and could continue playing. 

The contention of the World No. #1 that the substance was due to an involuntary contamination was accepted. According to Sinner, his physio used an over-the-counter spray sold in Italy containing the offending substance. Giacomo Naldi used the spray on a cut finger before attending to Sinner, resulting in a positive test result. However, Sinner was docked the results, points and prize money from the ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells.

Also Read: (Watch) Jannik Sinner shares his goals for remainder of 2024 season

Sinner has since parted ways with Umberto Ferrara, his fitness coach and physio Giacomo Naldi over the fallout. The first Italian World No. 1 expressed disappointment at the unexpected turn of events, saying, “All three hearings regarding the doping incident had a positive outcome.”

The window for WADA to file an appeal was to end on the 1st of October. Italy’s anti-doping agency, Nado Italia, had until the 10th of September to file an appeal but chose not to.

BREAKING:WADA has lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding Jannik Sinner’s doping case He was found by an independent tribunal of ITIA to bear ‘no fault or negligence.’But WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility between 1 to 2 years. “It is… pic.twitter.com/nkCSUIZyOC

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 28, 2024

The news of Sinner’s positive tests was made public only after the Italian captured the Cincinnati Open crown, leading to questions about ITIA’s handling of the case. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic raised questions about whether the San Candido native should have been allowed to compete while waiting to be absolved of intentional usage of the steroid. 

Eighteen-time major winner Chris Evert hinted at top players like Sinner receiving favourable treatments after a positive test. “Different rules for different players,” was all Denis Shapovalov had to say, referring to the Sinner saga soon after the matter came to light last month. 

British player Dan Evans, suspended from the tour for 12 months in 2017 over a failed anti-doping test, also weighed in. He believes Sinner caught a lucky break, drawing parallels with fellow Brit Tara Moore and Romanian Simona Halep, who spent a considerable time away from the game waiting for their suspensions to be overturned.

Also Read: Top three tennis players who escaped doping ban ft. Jannik Sinner, Andre Agassi & more

In Halep’s case, she took the fight all the way to the CAS before the Lausanne-based court overturned her four-year ban to time served. Tara Moore spent 19 months on the sidelines waiting for her case to be heard after testing positive for anabolic steroids boldenone and nandrolone. Halep tested positive for roxadustat – an anti-anaemia drug used for stimulating the production of red blood cells in the body after the 2022 US Open.

Sinner is currently playing at an ATP 500 event in Beijing, where he will take on Jiri Lehecka in the last eight in an attempt to retain his crown. By defeating lucky loser Roman Safiullin in the round of 16, the Italian has equalled Alexander Zverev for most ATP-level match wins (57) by any player so far in 2024. A win against Lehecka will place him in the lead.

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