World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner has just reached an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), accepting a 3-month ban from tennis.
The ban is effective from February 9 to May 4, regarding two positive tests for clostebol in March 2024.
An independent court initially accepted his explanation for being positive for the banned substance. The Italian tennis player said the banned substance had entered his body after being massaged by a physical therapist. This expert previously used a spray bottle containing statides to treat wounds on the fingers. But WADA later decided to appeal.
WADA explained that they still believe Sinner has no intention of cheating, but he must take responsibility for the group's careless behavior. Sinner later sacked physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi and Umberto Ferrara, who caused the incident.
Sinner has now agreed a three-month suspension. This means the Australian Open champions will not be able to compete until early May. He could be in time to participate in the next Grand Slam in France, starting on May 25.
But Sinner will miss both Masters 1000 events at Indian Wells and Miami, along with most clay leagues, including Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.
He is eligible to play at home in Rome in the Masters 1000 on May 7, before participating in the second Grand Slam of the year starting in Paris.
Sinner will not be able to defend his ranking points at Indian Wells, where he reached the semi-finals last season, and Miami, where he won the championship.Sinner is likely to lose the world No. 1 position to Alexander Zverev or Carlos Alcaraz in the coming months.
