A really important news shocked the tennis world today. World No.1 Jannik Sinner has decided to settle with WADA by agreeing to be suspended from the professional tour for 3 months, more precisely from February 9 to May 4.
The Italian ace had been found positive for Clostebol twice in the spring of last year and had been found innocent by ITIA shortly before the 2024 US Open, but WADA had decided to appeal against the acquittal sentence by opening new proceedings before the CAS in Lausanne.
The hearing was set for April 16 and 17 in Lausanne and the 3-time Grand Slam champion risked suffering a suspension of 1 to 2 years for negligence. Recently, WADA president Witold Banka had reiterated his intention to ask for such a suspension for the Italian ace.
The parties reached an agreement in the last few hours, avoiding the trial and putting an end to a case that had lasted for almost a year.
Sinner will miss 5 tournaments
Due to this suspension, the 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria will have to miss the Doha ATP 500, the Indian Wells Masters 1000, the Miami Masters 1000, the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 and the Mutua Madrid Open.
Jannik – who will only be able to return to practice on the tennis court from April 13 – will be able to participate in the Rome Masters 1000, which he will use as a preparation tournament for Roland Garros.
This suspension could also have repercussions on the ATP ranking. The world No. 1 – who has already lost 500 points after failing to defend his title in Rotterdam last week – will not be able to defend the 1,000 points he won in Miami in 2024 either.
The Italian ace will certainly lose 1600 points in the next three months and will drop to 9410 points in the ATP ranking. Alexander Zverev – who occupies second place – currently has 8135 points and will have the opportunity to get close to and overtake Jannik during the season on the red clay achieving prestigious results in this time frame.
Tennis World USA