Top-ranked men’s tennispro Jannik Sinner Has been suspended by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after twice tested positively for a prohibited anabolic steroid almost a year ago. News about the ban comes only weeks after the Italian TennisPro won his third Grand Slam title.
Wada announced in a statement on Saturday that it agrees with the conclusion of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which found that Sinner had not intentionally used a forbidden substance to competitive gain.
Jannik Sinner from Italy in action during his match against Marcos Giron in the United States of America in the third round of the men’s singles of 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne Park on January 18, 2025. (Mike Frey-Preferred Pictures)
“Wada accepts the athlete’s explanation of the reason for the violation as described in the first decision,” the statement reads.
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“Wada accepts that Mr. Sinner did not intend to cheat and that his exposure to Clostbol did not provide any performance -enhancing advantage and took place without his knowledge as a result of negligence of members of his entourage.”
SINNER, 23, tested positively for low levels of metabolite of Clostebol, a forbidden anabolic steroid that can be used for ophthalmological and dermatological use, in March 2024. Eight days after the Indian Wells tournament, Sinner tested positives again in an out-of -of competition test.
According to ITIA’s original finding, Sinner explained that he had tested positively after receiving a massage from a coach who had used an over-the-counter spray containing Clostbol to treat a small wound after cutting his own finger.
Jannik Sinner plays in the men’s single finals in 2024 US Open Tennis Tournament in Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 8, 2024. (Robert Deutsch-Preferred Pictures)
Jannik Sinner wins the Australian Open for 2nd just time
While Wada accepted the explanation without error, the organization said the three-month suspension was needed as “an athlete bears the responsibility of Entourage’s negligence.” Wada had initially challenged ITIA’s decision on no suspension and sought a minimum of a minimum before he agreed to settle down with a three-month suspension.
Wada said Sinner’s victories would not be abolished in this case due to ITIA’s conclusions that the positive test results had not provided a competitive advantage.
Sinner released a statement on Saturday and accepted Wada’s discipline.
“This case had been hanging over me now for almost a year, and the process still had a long time to make a decision maybe only at the end of the year,” he said. “I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and am aware that Wada’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis I have accepted Wada’s offer to solve these procedures on the basis of a three-month sanction. ”
Jannik Sinner from Italy in action during his match against Ben Shelton from the United States of America in the semi -finals of the men’s singles of 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne Park on January 24, 2025. (Mike Frey-Preferred Pictures)
Sinner’s doping scandal has received mixed reactions from the tennis community, but Saturday’s announcement was met with overwhelming disappointment from the sport’s biggest stars.
Among the most obvious critics were Australian tennis star Nick Kryrgios.
“So Wada came out and says it would be a 1-2 year ban,” Kryrgios said in a post of X. “Obviously Sinners team has no prize money lost.
Sinner’s suspension will last until May 4th. He will not miss the Italian open or any of the Grand Slam tournaments back.
