Jannik Sinner, the No. 1 ranked player in the world, has accepted an immediate three-month ban as part of a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over his two positive drug tests in 2024, reports the New York Times.
The 23-year-old Sinner, who recently won the Australian Open, will be ineligible to compete until May 4. He will be permitted to train beginning on April 13.
“WADA accepts the athlete’s explanation for the cause of the violation as outlined in the first instance decision,” WADA said in a statement. “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.
“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.
“As previously stated, WADA did not seek a disqualification of any results, save that which was previously imposed by the tribunal of first instance. The International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Integrity Agency, both co-respondents to WADA’s CAS appeal, neither of which appealed the first-instance decision, both accepted the case resolution agreement. ”
Sinner twice tested positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, last March. He was permitted to continue playing until the issue resolved itself in court.
“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,” Sinner said in a statement.
“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. On that basis I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a 3-month sanction.”
Sinner currently has 11,830 points in the ATP rankings, more than 3,000 over Alexander Zverev (8,135), who is currently the World No. 2.
The next tournament Sinner will be permitted to play in will be the Italian Open on May 7.
