World no. 1 Jannik Sinner accepted a three-month suspension following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding two positive drug tests in March last year! The suspension starts immediately, and the Italian will stay away from the court until May 4.
Jannik will not compete in Doha next week despite traveling and training ahead of the ATP 500 event. The world’s best player will also skip Indian Wells, Miami, Munich and Madrid. His first tournament after the suspension will come at the home Masters 1000 event in Rome.
Jannik Sinner, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
WADA previously appealed against the decision to clear the Italian through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). They now accepted player’s explanation that he was inadvertently exposed to the banned substance clostebol by his physiotherapist.
WADA acknowledged that the three-time Major winner “did not intend to cheat” and that the drug “did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit.” They concluded that the contamination occurred “without his knowledge due to the negligence of members of his entourage.”
Jannik Sinner, ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
However, they also highlighted that an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence, which led to the three-month ban. Jannik will likely remain at the top by his next tournament after building a massive advantage over his closest rivals.
The Italian is 80-6 since the beginning of 2024, lifting nine ATP titles and conquering three Majors and three Masters 1000 shields. The 23-year-old kicked off the 2025 season with the title defense in Melbourne.
He extended his incredible hard-court streak and became one of only few players with three consecutive Major crowns on the most common surface.
Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
“WADA accepts the athlete’s explanation for the cause of the violation as outlined in the first instance decision. WADA accepts that Mr. Sinner did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit.
It 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.”
Tennis World USA