The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently confirmed the key reason behind its decision to appeal the initial ruling in tennis star Jannik Sinner’s doping case. The appeal, which will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), centers on the level of responsibility Sinner should bear for the presence of a banned substance in his system.
In March 2024, Sinner, the World No. 1, tested positive for clostebol, a banned steroid, twice during the Indian Wells Masters. However, he successfully appealed against a provisional suspension on both occasions. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) later found that Sinner was of “no fault or negligence” after he demonstrated that the substance entered his system inadvertently through a skin cream used by his former physiotherapist.
Despite this exoneration, WADA has decided to appeal the decision, arguing that while contamination might have occurred, Sinner still holds some responsibility for ensuring that his entourage does not expose him to banned substances. Olivier Niggli, WADA’s Director General, emphasized that the appeal is not about proving Sinner’s fault but about clarifying the extent of an athlete’s responsibility.
The tennis community has had mixed reactions to the case, with some supporting Sinner’s argument of accidental contamination and others questioning the thoroughness of his defense. The appeal process is expected to continue into 2025, with a potential suspension of up to two years if CAS rules in favor of WADA.
This case has reignited discussions about doping in tennis, following other high-profile cases involving players like Simona Halep and Iga Swiatek. The outcome of Sinner’s appeal will be closely watched by fans and professionals alike, as it could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
Jannik Sinner in 2024
Ranked world no.1, the Italian played his last match on the 24th of November when he defeated world no.40 Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(2) 6-2 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
During this season Sinner achieved a composed 73-6 record. The Italian clinched 8 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati, U.S. Open, Shanghai and the Nitto ATP Finals. Jannik got to the final in Beijing.