Sinner Accepts Three-Month Ban in WADA Clostebol Case

Rome: Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ban over the clostebol case, the WADA announced Saturday. The 23-year-old world tennis number one was initially cleared by a lower court after it found that he had unintentionally been tainted with the banned steroid during a trainer’s massage at the Indian Wells tournament last March. However, WADA reopened the case and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking a ban of up to two years.

According to Ansa News Agency, WADA stated that it has reached an agreement with the Italian tennis player, who accepted a three-month period of ineligibility for a doping rule violation. This violation led to a positive test for clostebol, a banned substance, in March 2024. The agreement means that Sinner will be eligible to compete in the French Open at Roland Garros, which starts on May 19, after serving his ban.

Sinner, who recently defended his Australian Open title and claimed victory at last year’s US Open, expressed re
lief over the resolution. “This case has been hanging over me for almost a year now and the process still had a long time to go with a decision that perhaps would only come at the end of the year,” he said. Sinner acknowledged his responsibility for his team and the importance of WADA’s strict rules, stating, “On this basis, I accepted WADA’s offer to resolve this case on the basis of a three-month sanction.”

Italian Tennis Federation President Angelo Binaghi commented on the resolution, expressing optimism about Sinner’s return. He stated that the Italian tennis world and the entire country are ready to welcome Sinner back for the Italian Open from May 7-13. “It is the first time that a shameful injustice makes us happy because the first thought is for the lad who sees a nightmare come to an end,” Binaghi said. He emphasized that the agreement certifies Sinner’s innocence and allows him to plan his future with a significant return to the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, where “all of Italy will welcome
him as he deserves.”