Tennis: Jannik Sinner gets three-month ban after doping case settlement

Top-ranked tennis star Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over his two positive doping tests.

WADA had challenged a decision last year by the International Tennis Integrity Agency not to suspend Sinner for what it judged was accidental contamination by a banned anabolic steroid last March.

Sinner's explanation that trace amounts of Clostebol in his doping sample was due to a massage from a trainer who used the substance after cutting his own finger had been accepted.

"Mr Sinner will serve his period of ineligibility from 9 February 2025 to 11:59 pm on 4 May 2025," WADA said in a statement. "Mr Sinner may return to official training activity from 13 April 2025," it added. WADA has formally withdrawn its appeal to CAS after they reached a settlement.

The 23-year-old Italian, who won the Australian Open in January, will be eligible to compete in the next Grand Slam. The French Open begins May 25.

WADA had originally appealed the ITIA's ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. It sought to ban him from the sport for at least one year.

The suspension is from February 9 to May 4.

Sinner could return at his home tournament, the Italian Open in Rome, which starts May 7.

Italian Tennis and Padel Federation president Angelo Binaghi noted that while the case was a shameful injustice, the ban will mark the end of a nightmare for Sinner.

Binaghi adds that the settlement demonstrates Jannik's innocence and that all of Italy will welcome him back at the Italian Open.

The ITIA said it acknowledged the settlement but in its statement Saturday reiterated that we were satisfied that the player had established the source of the prohibited substance and that the breach was unintentional. Today's outcome supports this finding.

Sinner's London-based lawyer, Jamie Singer commented: I am delighted that Jannik can finally put this harrowing experience behind him. WADA has confirmed the facts determined by the Independent Tribunal. It is clear that Jannik had no intent, no knowledge, and gained no competitive advantage. Regrettably, errors made by members of his team led to this situation.