Jannik Sinner calls out WADA after anti-doping agency moves to have him banned for 2 years

Jannik Sinner is set to face even more scrutiny over his doping saga after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced that it has officially appealed the decision that found the Italian was not at fault after testing positive for a controlled substance. WADA is seeking a two-year ban for the World No. 1.

Sinner had tested positive for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid, in two samples taken eight days apart in March. The sample showed low levels of the drug, which led to an investigation by an independent tribunal commissioned by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). Sinner claimed that the substance entered his body via his then-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who was using an over-the-counter spray containing Closetebol to treat his own wounds.

Sinner claimed he was inadvertently contaminated after a bare-handed massage by Naldi and said he never had direct contact with the spray or the substance. The ITIA accepted the explanation and cleared the Italian of all charges in a report published in late August, saying he bore "no fault or negligence."

In the most recent development in the case, WADA announced on September 28 that it had lodged an official appeal of ITIA's ruling with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). WADA argued that ITIA's findings in the case were "not correct under the applicable rules." Moreover, WADA is also seeking a maximum two-year ban for the Italian.

Jannik Sinner expressed his disappointment over WADA's appeal in an official statement. The two-time Grand Slam champion pointed out that he was cleared of any wrongdoing after a months-long process that involved three judges and extensive interviews and investigations.

"I am disappointed to hear that WADA have chosen to appeal the result of my ITIA hearing after the independent judges had exonerated me and deemed me to be innocent. Over the past few months and throughout this process there have been three separate hearings in each case confirming my innocence," Jannik Sinner said.

"Several months of interviews and investigations culminated in three senior judges scrutinizing every detail through a formal hearing. They issued an in-depth judgement explaining why they determined me not at fault, with clear evidence provided and my cooperation throughout."

Sinner understood that vigilance is key to keeping tennis a clean sport. However, he failed to see the purpose of dragging on his case in front of new judges and saw no upside in going through the rigors once again. The 23-year-old added that he would cooperate with authorities and make no further comment on the case.

"On the back of such a robust process both the ITIA and the Italian anti-doping authority accepted it and waived their rights to appeal. I understand these things need to be thoroughly investigated to maintain the integrity of the sport we all love. However, it is difficult to see what will be gained by asking a different set of three judges to look at the same facts and documentation all over again," he continued.

"This being said, I have nothing to hide, and as I have done throughout the summer, I will cooperate fully with the appeal process and provide whatever may be needed to prove my innocence once again. As the case is now pending before CAS, I won't comment further."

After ITIA's report in August, Jannik Sinner split with Naldi and fitness coach Umberto Ferrara because of the incident and later went on to lift his second Grand Slam title of the year at the US Open.

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Jannik Sinner reacts to WADA appeal after China Open 2R win

Jannik Sinner pictured at 2024 China Open (Source: Getty)

Jannik Sinner is currently competing at the 2024 China Open as the top seed. He has so far defeated Nicholas Jarry and Roman Safiullin at the ATP 500 tournament and looks set for another deep run. After his victory over Safiullin on September 28, the Italian gave his first reaction to the WADA appeal during his press conference.

Sinner was disappointed and slightly surprised by WADA's decision to file an appeal in his case, considering he was exonerated after three hearings. The Italian also revealed that he knew WADA was going to appeal his case.

"Im very disappointed and also surprised of this appeal, to be honest, because we had three hearings. All three hearings came out very positively for me. You know, I was not expecting it. I knew it a couple of days ago, that they were going to appeal, that today it's going to go official."

"But yeah, it's surprise. We always talk about the same thing. Maybe they just want to make sure that everything is in the right position. Yeah, I'm just surprised that they appealed," he said.

Jannik Sinner is the defending champion at the 2024 China Open and will face Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals of the tournament. The Italian has already secured his spot in the 2024 ATP Finals.