World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner has reached a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), accepting a three-month suspension after nearly a year of controversy stemming from two positive doping tests. The 23-year-old Italian, who won the Australian Open in January, will serve his ban from February 9 to May 4 but will not miss any Grand Slam tournaments, including the upcoming French Open.
WADA had initially sought a one-year ban after challenging a previous ruling by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which determined that the banned substance Clostebol in Sinner’s sample was due to accidental contamination from a trainer’s use of the substance. WADA has now accepted Sinner’s explanation and withdrawn its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Sinner acknowledged his responsibility for his team’s actions, stating: “This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year… I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction.”
The suspension means Sinner could return in time for the Italian Open in May. Italian Tennis and Padel Federation president Angelo Binaghi described the case as a “shameful injustice,” adding that the ban marks “the end of a nightmare” and demonstrates Sinner’s innocence.
WADA emphasized that Sinner had no intent to cheat and gained no performance advantage, but under anti-doping regulations, athletes bear responsibility for their entourage’s negligence. The ITIA echoed this finding, supporting the settlement.
Despite the setback, Sinner remains optimistic, already training for his return and aiming to maintain his position atop the ATP rankings, where Alexander Zverev currently trails by 3,695 points.
Source: Swifteradio.com
