The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reached a settlement agreement with Italian player Jannik Sinner, who accepted a three-month suspension from tennis effective immediately over the case of his anti-doping rule violation, the agency confirmed on Saturday.
World number one Jannik Sinner will serve a three-month suspension from tennis over the case of his anti-doping rule violation, having tested positive for Clostebol, a prohibited substance, in two different urine samples last March.
In an official statement, the two-time Australian Open champion outlined: “I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize WADA’s rules are an important protection for tennis. On that basis, I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction.”
Under the terms of the agreement, a period of ineligibility will be served between February 9th and May 4th, 2025, including “a credit for four days previously served by the athlete while he was under a provisional suspension.”
The 23-year-old may resume official training from April 13th, 2025, which means he could compete at the French Open.
WADA’s press release reads: “WADA accepts the athlete’s explanation for the cause of the violation as outlined in the first instance decision.WADA accepts that Mr. Sinner did not intend to cheat and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of the negligence of members of his entourage.
“However, under the Code and by virtue of CAS precedent, an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence. Based on the unique set of facts of this case, a three-month suspension is deemed to be an appropriate outcome.”
“In light of the case resolution agreement, WADA has formally withdrawn its appeal to CAS.”
In addition, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) acknowledged the agreement reached by both parties, articulating: “The three-month outcome was only possible by agreement between WADA and the player.”
Moreover, ITIA, responsible for the management and administration of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP), shared a document with the details of the first instance ruling when three different judges, appointed to form the Independent Tribunal, concluded a No Fault or Negligence ruling on the player anti-doping case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
A Recollection of the Events in Sinner’s Case
March 2024: The presence of metabolites of Clostebol is found in two urine samples (less than a billionth of a gram) collected during Sinner’s participation in Indian Wells and out of competition before the Miami Open.
The proceedings noted that the player did not dispute the presence of the prohibited substance, providing an explanation (exposed through full-body massages from his physio).
His physio, Giacomo Naldi, used a spray containing Clostebol to treat his cut finger.
Due to the incident, he would ultimately part ways with his physiotherapist, Naldi, and his fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara.
In April 2024, Sinner was provisional suspended twice, serving four days overall. On each occasion, the athlete’s lawyer filed an urgent application, lifting both suspensions.
Late in September, over two weeks after claiming his maiden US Open title, the case returned to the spotlight.
A press release confirmed WADA appealed to the CAS in the case of the Italian player, understanding the finding of No Fault or Negligence was not correct under the applicable rules.
“WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility between one to two years,” it read.
“WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance.”
Later that same day, Sinner issued an official statement on WADA’s decision to appeal.
“Over the past few months and throughout this process, there have been three separate hearings in each case, confirming my innocence.
“Several months of interviews and investigations culminated in three different judges scrutinizing every detail through a formal hearing.
“They issued an in-depth judgment explaining why they determined me not at fault, with clear evidence provided and my cooperation throughout.”
“On the back of such a robust process, both the ITIA and the Italian anti-doping authority accepted it and waived their rights to appeal,” he added.
“It is difficult to see what will be gained by asking a different set of three judges to look at the same facts and documentation all over again.”
“This being said, I have nothing to hide, and as I have done throughout the summer, I will cooperate fully with the appeal process.”
The 19-time ATP titlist will miss Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid.