Jannik Sinner’s Doping Verdict Faces Appeal by WADA, as the Organization Seeks to Ban the World’s No. 1 Men’s Tennis Player, Sending Shockwaves Through the Sport .Giang

The International Tennis Integrity Agency’s decision to clear Jannik Sinner of any wrongdoing in his doping scandal has been appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

In a statement released on Saturday, WADA confirmed it filed the appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday and is seeking a “a period of ineligibility of between one and two years” for Sinner:

“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirms that on Thursday 26 September, it lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case of Italian tennis player, Jannik Sinner, who was found by an independent tribunal of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) to bear no fault or negligence having twice tested positive for clostebol, a prohibited substance, in March 2024.

“It is WADA’s view that the finding of “no fault or negligence” was not correct under the applicable rules. WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance.”

Sinner was revealed to have tested positive for an anabolic steroid twice in March, but he wasn’t suspended because the International Tennis Integrity Agency determined the performance-enhancing substance entered his system unintentionally.

The ITIA statement released on Aug. 20 said that the substance entered Sinner’s system via a contaminated over-the-counter spray containing clostebol that was used to treat a cut on his physiotherapist’s finger.

Subsequently, the physiotherapist treated Sinner without gloves and the steroid entered Sinner’s body through various skin lesions on his body.

There is a possibility that the Court of Arbitration for Sport decision could come quickly if all parties agree to cooperate, but even so the case may not be resolved before the Australian Open starts on Jan. 12.

Sinner’s first positive test occurred during the Indian Wells tournament in March when he had low levels of clostebol in his system. He tested positive again eight days later in an out-of-competition sample.

The 23-year-old won his first two grand slam singles titles this year at the Australian Open and U.S. Open. He reached No. 1 in the ATP rankings for the first time in his career in June.