Jannik Sinner expressed his 'very disappointed' sentiment on Saturday, yet remained confident, following the World Anti-Doping Agency's (Wada) appeal against his exoneration in a steroid case, seeking a potential two-year ban. The Italian tennis star, currently ranked number one globally, tested positive for traces of the prohibited substance clostebol in March. Despite this, he was cleared and permitted to continue playing.
The 23-year-old went on to secure his second major title by winning the US Open earlier this month. This triumph came just weeks after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled that Sinner was not at fault or negligent. The ITIA accepted Sinner's explanation that the drug entered his system when his physiotherapist used a spray containing clostebol to treat a cut, subsequently providing massage and sports therapy.
Clostebol, an anabolic agent, is banned at all times by Wada. On Thursday, Wada appealed the high-profile case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, stating that the 'no fault or negligence' finding was incorrect under the applicable rules. This appeal was announced as Sinner was competing at the China Open, where he successfully defended his title by defeating Russian player Roman Safiullin 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in Beijing.
Wada is seeking a period of ineligibility ranging from one to two years. Sinner has consistently denied any intentional doping and expressed his disappointment and surprise after his win. He mentioned that all three hearings had concluded positively in his favor. In a subsequent statement, Sinner asserted that he had 'nothing to hide' and questioned the necessity of Wada's decision after he had been exonerated by independent judges from the ITIA.
Sinner added that the ITIA and the Italian anti-doping authority had both accepted the robust process and waived their rights to appeal. He found it challenging to understand what could be gained by having a different set of judges review the same facts and documentation. Despite the controversy surrounding his failed tests, Sinner managed to win the US Open, defeating Taylor Fritz in straight sets.
The decision to clear Sinner was met with skepticism by some players, who suggested that he had received preferential treatment due to his status in the sport. Australia's Nick Kyrgios called the lack of suspension 'ridiculous' on X, while Canadian player Denis Shapovalov implied that different rules apply to different players, suggesting Sinner was saved by his ranking. Sinner has consistently reached at least the quarter-final in every tournament he has played this year.
