Major development in Jannik Sinner vs WADA: Doping saga trial dates and location revealed ahead of Australian Open 2025

The World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) appeal against Jannik Sinner's 'No Fault or Negligence' case has finally received its dates and location ahead of the World No. 1's title defense at the Australian Open. The dates of the trial have confirmed that the Italian can continue playing up to the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters.

Sinner tested positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, during the Indian Wells Masters last year. However, he later argued that the substance entered his body via bare-handed body massages from his ex-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who had used the spray containing Clostebol to heal a cut on his finger.

The ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) ruled that the World No. 1 bore 'No Significant Fault or Negligence' and allowed him to keep playing. However, he lost the ranking points and prize money he earned during the Masters 1000 event. They made the happenings public in late August following Sinner's win at the Cincinnati Masters.

WADA appealed the ITIA's verdict to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in late September claiming that the results were incorrect and demanded an ineligibility period for the Italian between one to two years. Sinner had expressed his disappointment at the appeal since he already had three favorable hearings.

CAS has scheduled the hearing for the arbitration procedure for 16-17 April at their headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The trial is set to be conducted behind closed doors.

"The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled the hearing for the arbitration procedure World Anti-Doping Agency v Jannik Sinner, International Tennis Integrity Agency and International Tennis Federation on 16-17 April 2025 at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland."

"No parties requested a public hearing and it will be conducted behind closed doors."

The dates have confirmed that Jannik Sinner will be eligible to compete on the tour till the Monte Carlo Masters, which is set to be held from 5-13 April.

Jannik Sinner opens up about how the CAS hearings’ pending date stresses him out

Jannik Sinner - Source: Getty

During the pre-tournament press conference in Melbourne, Jannik Sinner was questioned about when the CAS hearing was going to happen and how the ordeal was affecting his mental health.

Sinner responded that he wasn’t aware of the date and admitted that the case was something which was always troubling his peace, however, he knew he couldn’t do anything about it and wanted to focus on the Australian Open.

“Yeah, I know exactly as much as you guys know. We are in a stage where we don't know many, many things.”

“Yeah, you think about this, of course. I would lie if I would tell you I forget. No, it's not like this. It's something what I have with me now already for quite a long time. But it is what it is. I'm here trying to prepare the Grand Slam. Let's see how it goes.”

Jannik Sinner will kick off his title defense against Nicolas Jarry.