WADA appeals Jannik Sinner's "no fault or negligence" result in doping case

There has been a new development in the Jannik Sinner doping case as World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding the results of Jannik Sinner's doping case from the previous month. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) had previously ruled that the Word No. 1 bore "no fault or negligence" after testing positive for the banned substance Clostebol.

It all came to light shortly before the US Open when his sample contained low levels of the substance during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Sinner claimed that the substance entered his body through his then-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who was using a spray containing clostebol to treat a skin wound.

Thus, the ITIA ruled that the 23-year-old bore "no fault or negligence", and that he would only lose the prize money and ranking points earned at the Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells.

WADA has recently appealed the results of Sinner's doping case to CAS, claiming that ITIA's ruling of "no fault or negligence" was incorrect under the rules.

"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. As this matter is now pending before CAS, WADA will make no further comment at this time," a statement from the organization read.

Shortly after ITIA's verdict on his doping case, Jannik Sinner won his second Grand Slam title at the US Open, beating Taylor Fritz in the final.

Jannik Sinner is competing at the China Open amid his doping saga

Jannik Sinner in action at the China Open (Image Source: Getty)

While WADA has appealed the result of Jannik Sinner's doping case, the Italian is currently competing at the China Open, where he is the defending champion. The 23-year-old started his title defense against Nicolas Jarry and came back from a set down to book his place in the second round.

Here, the Italian is facing lucky loser Roman Safiullin and is trailing by a set at the time of writing. If Sinner loses, it will bring an end to his 13-match winning streak. If the World No. 1 wins, he will take on Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals of the China Open.

Sinner has enjoyed an incredible 2024 season so far, winning 56 out of 61 matches so far. He has won six titles, including two Grand Slams and two Masters 1000 events in Miami and Cincinnati.