Jannik Sinner: World Anti-Doping Agency appeals after world No 1 cleared in steroid case

Jannik Sinner "very disappointed and also surprised" to be facing the renewed threat of a ban after the World Anti-Doping Agency launched an appeal against a ruling of "no fault or negligence" for two positive tests he returned in March

By Ros Satar

Saturday 28 September 2024 18:03, UK

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed against the decision to clear Jannik Sinner after he twice tested positive for a banned substance.

Sinner, twice a Grand Slam champion in 2024, tested positive in March for the anabolic steroid clostebol, before being cleared in August by an independent tribunal who determined he was not to blame.

But WADA has confirmed it is appealing against that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and is seeking a ban of between one and two years for the Italian, who is currently playing at the China Open in Beijing. The appeal was lodged on Thursday but announced on Saturday morning.

Speaking after he rallied to beat Roman Safiullin 3-6 6-2 6-3 and advance to the quarter-finals of the China Open, Sinner said: "I'm very disappointed and also surprised by the appeal to be honest. I was not expecting it. Maybe they just want to make sure everything is in the right position."

In a statement, WADA said: "It is WADA's view that the finding of 'no fault or negligence' was not correct under the applicable rules.

"WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance."

A statement from the International Tennis Integrity Agency said: "The ITIA acknowledges the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decision to appeal the ruling of no fault or negligence in the case of Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner,
issued by an independent tribunal appointed by Sport Resolutions on August 19, 2024.

"Under the terms of the World Anti-Doping Code, WADA has the final right to appeal all such decisions.

"Having reached an agreed set of facts following a thorough investigative process, the case was referred to a tribunal entirely independent of the ITIA to determine level of fault and therefore sanction because of the unique set of circumstances, and lack of comparable precedent.

"The process was run according to world anti-doping code guidelines. However, the ITIA acknowledges and respects WADA's right to appeal the independent tribunal's decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

How did a banned substance enter Sinner's body? What were the ramifications?

Sinner, 23, has had a spectacular 2024, going 55-5 in his matches and winning six of his 16 career titles, including the US Open, the Australian Open, and the ATP Masters 1000 events in Cincinnati and Miami.

In a case presented by the ITIA, a tribunal accepted Sinner's explanation that the banned substance entered his body as a result of a massage from his physiotherapist, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on their finger.

Sinner subsequently fired physio Giacomo Naldi and his trainer Umberto Ferrara, who had supplied Naldi with the over-the-counter spray.

Though Sinner was required to forfeit his 400 ranking points from Indian Wells - and prize money of $325,000 - he was able to continue competing and went on to win the US Open in September, adding to the Australian Open title he won at the start of the year.

"Obviously it was very difficult for me to enjoy certain moments. Also how I behaved or how I walked on the court in certain tournaments before, it was not the same as I used to be," said Sinner after victory at Flushing Meadows.

"It was not easy, that's for sure, but in the other way I tried to stay focused, which I guess I've done a great job mentally staying there every point I play, and that's it.

'Ridiculous' - how tennis world initially responded

Sinner has maintained his innocence, saying the amount of clostebol found in his system was less than a billionth of a gram.

A statement released on his behalf in August said he "knew nothing" of the violation.

"Jannik knew nothing of this, and his physiotherapist did not know that he was using a product containing clostebol," the statement read.

"The physiotherapist treated Jannik without gloves and coupled with various skin lesions on Jannik's body caused the inadvertent contamination."

But the decision to clear him came in for strong criticism in the run-up to the US Open, with some players citing perceived inconsistencies.

Nick Kyrios, Denis Shapovalov and Liam Broady all took to social media when the announcement was first made in August.

Kyrios called the decision 'ridiculous,' while both Shapovalov and Broady voiced opinions that other players would have received different outcome.

"Ridiculous - whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance... you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream.... Yeah nice," Kyrgios posted on X.

"Different rules for different players," Canadian Denis Shapovalov posted on X. "Can't imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now."

Roger Federer said he believed that Sinner had done nothing wrong, but was surprised he had been allowed to continue competing.

"I think we all trust pretty much that Jannik didn't do anything," Federer said on NBC's Today show in the second week of the US Open.

"But the inconsistency potentially that he didn't have to sit out while they weren't 100 per cent sure what was going on, I think that's the question here that needs to be answered.

"I understand the frustration of, 'Has he been treated the same as others?' And I think this is where it comes down to."

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