Devastating news for Jannik Sinner as Italian faces ban from tennis for doping controversy

Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban from tennis, which will immediately take effect after reaching a settlement with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) over his highly-documented doping controversy. The Italian had tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol twice during the Indian Wells Masters last year.

Sinner's suspension period began on February 9 and will end on May 4. The silver lining here for the World No. 1 will be that he will be eligible to compete at the 2025 French Open, which is slated to begin on May 19.

WADA released a statement on Saturday accepting that the Italian had accidentally consumed the banned substance, via bare-handed massages from his ex-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who used a healing spray, containing Clostebol for a wound on his finger.

"WADA accepts that Mr. Sinner did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage."

However, they added Sinner was deemed responsible for his team's mistakes and after much consideration, they came to a three-month settlement.

"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."

WADA appealed the ITIA's (International Tennis Integrity Agency) 'No fault or negligence' verdict in late September last year to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sports). The hearing was set to occur on April 16-17 this year but won't be a necessity moving ahead.

Jannik Sinner has also issued a strong statement following the recent news.

"I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team" - Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner - Source: Getty

Following the massive news, Jannik Sinner issued his statement about his thoughts on the doping controversy finally coming to an end.

"This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year. I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise WADA's strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love.

On that basis I have accepted WADA's offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a 3-month sanction."

Sinner was last seen in action at the 2025 Australian Open, where the Italian was unplayable en route to his third Grand Slam title.