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Jannik Sinner is set to serve a three-month suspension from professional tennis after reaching an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over two positive drug tests in 2024.
The ban, which runs from February 9 to May 4, allows Sinner to return in time for the French Open, beginning May 25.
The decision has sparked immediate controversy, with 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios criticizing the perceived leniency of the punishment, claiming it demonstrated that “fairness in tennis does not exist.”
Sinner, who secured his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last month, tested positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol in March 2024. However, an independent tribunal cleared him in August, accepting his explanation that the banned substance entered his system unintentionally. According to the tribunal, his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, had used a spray containing clostebol to treat a cut on his finger, unknowingly transferring it to Sinner during a massage.
Following the ruling, Sinner dismissed both Naldi and his trainer, Umberto Ferrara, who had supplied the over-the-counter spray. However, WADA challenged the tribunal’s verdict and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), initially seeking a one- to two-year ban.
On Saturday, WADA released a statement acknowledging that Sinner had not intended to cheat and that the substance did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit.
However, the agency emphasised that under anti-doping regulations, athletes are ultimately responsible for their teams’ negligence. “Based on the unique set of facts of this case, a three-month suspension is deemed to be an appropriate outcome,” WADA stated.
Sinner, speaking through his lawyers to Sky Sports News, expressed relief that the drawn-out process had finally reached a resolution. “This case had been hanging over me for nearly a year, and the process still had a long time to run,” he said.
“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.”
With his suspension set to end in early May, Sinner will have just a few weeks to prepare for the French Open, where he will aim to defend his No. 1 ranking and continue his impressive 2024 season.
Chioma Kalu
The post Jannik Sinner Handed Three-Month Ban Over Positive Drug Test appeared first on Arise News.
