The World Anti-Doping Agency is seeking a one-to-two-year ban for world number one Jannik Sinner, saying the Italian tennis star was negligent in a doping case.
WADA confirmed on Saturday that it had appealed the Sinner case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Sinner tested positive twice for a banned substance in March but was not suspended because he was not at fault, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced on August 20.
Samples submitted by the Italian at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells on March 10 and 18 contained low levels of the banned substance clostebol, violating anti-doping rules, according to an independent tribunal appointed by Sport Resolutions.
However, clostebol, a steroid, was found to have entered Sinner’s system via a third party. A support team member who was using an over-the-counter spray containing the substance to treat his own injury passed it on to Sinner through therapy performed without gloves.
WADA disagrees.
“WADA believes that the finding of no fault or negligence was not correct under the applicable rules,” the agency said in a press release. “WADA is requesting a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking disqualification of any result except that which has already been imposed by the trial court.
“As this matter is currently pending before the CAS, WADA will make no further comment at this time.”
Sinner, 23, had a spectacular 2024, going 57-5 in his matches and winning six of his 16 career titles, including the US Open, Australian Open and ATP Masters 1000 events in Cincinnati and Miami.
Sinner reached the quarterfinals of the China Open on Saturday.
In August, however, some of his fellow players spoke out against the lack of punishment for Sinner.
Australian Nick Kyrgios blasted Sinner’s explanation.
“Ridiculous – whether accidental or planned. You are tested twice with a banned substance (steroid)… should be out for 2 years. Your performance has been improved. Massage cream… Yeah, nice”, posted Kyrgios on X.
“Different rules for different players,” Canadian Denis Shapovalov posted on X. “I can’t imagine how all the other players banned for contaminated substances feel right now.”
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: WADA calls for suspension of No. 1 Jannik Sinner in doping case
