15
Feb
Feb
JANNIK SINNER BANNED FOR THREE MONTHS OVER POSITIVE DOPE TEST
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Nicolas Adekeye / 2 months
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- 2 min read
World No. 1, Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban from tennis after twice testing positive for a banned substance, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced on Saturday. Sinner, 23, will be banned from February 9 to May 4 after testing positive for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid, in March 2024. According to WADA, Sinner’s positive tests were due to “inadvertent contamination” of Clostebol through treatment from his physiotherapist. Sinner had previously avoided suspension from competition, with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announcing in August that he wasn’t at fault for the positive tests. However, WADA lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following the decision. After reaching an agreement with Sinner, WADA formally withdrew its appeal to CAS. “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 negligence of members of his entourage,” WADA said in a statement. Sinner accepted responsibility for the team around him, saying, “This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year. I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize WADA’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love.” Sinner’s lawyer, Jamie Singer, said, “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.” The ban means Sinner will be eligible to play in the French Open, the next grand slam on the calendar.
