Sinner settles doping case with WADA, accepts 3 month ban

Top ranked men’s tennis player Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban as part of an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over two positive doping test cases. WADA had challenged the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s decision not to ban Sinner last year. WADA wanted to impose a ban of at least one year on Sinner last year.

In March last year, traces of the banned anabolic steroid clostebol were found in Sinner’s body. Sinner had said that these traces entered his body during a massage with a trainer as he used this substance after cutting his finger. The Italian player, who won the Australian Open in January, will be able to play the next Grand Slam. The French Open will begin on May 25.

Sinner said in a statement, “This case was pending for a year and the process is so long that the decision would have come only at the end of the year. I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and I believe that strict WADA rules are necessary to protect the sport. That is why I accepted WADA’s offer of a three-month ban to settle the matter.” WADA had appealed against the ITIA decision in the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, which has now withdrawn.

Now after the ban, he will be seen playing in the French Open Grand Slam. The second Grand Slam of the year will start from May 25.