An appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the decision to clear Jannik Sinner of a violation in his doping case will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in April.
Sinner, a two-time Grand Slam champion in 2024, tested positive in March last year for the anabolic steroid clostebol, before approved in August by an independent tribunal who found him not guilty.
But WADA appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in September and is seeking a ban of one to two years for the Italian.
CAS confirmed on Friday that the hearing will take place on April 16 and 17.
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Highlights of the China Open match between Sinner and Roman Safiullin
Announcing its appeal, WADA said: “WADA's position is that the finding of 'no fault or negligence' was not correct under the current rules.
“WADA is seeking a ban period of one to two years. WADA is not seeking disqualification of any results, other than what has already been imposed by the first-instance tribunal.”
Sinner, who has always protested his innocence, said he was “disappointed” and “surprised” by WADA's appeal.
A statement from the International Tennis Integrity Agency stated: “The ITIA recognizes the decision of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to appeal the decision of innocence or negligence in the case of Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, issued by the independent Tribunal appointed by the Sports Resolutions on 19 August 2024.
“Under the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code, WADA has the final right of appeal against all such decisions.
“Having an agreed set of facts reached following a thorough investigative process, the case was referred to a tribunal completely independent of ITIA to determine the level of culpability and therefore sanction due to the unique set of circumstances and lack of comparable precedent.
“The process was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Code. However, the ITIA recognizes and respects WADA's right to appeal the independent tribunal's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
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Sinner addressed the investigation into his positive tests for a banned substance when speaking to Sky Sports Tennis at the US Open
How did the banned substance get into Sinner's body? What were the consequences?
In the case presented by ITIA, the tribunal accepted Sinner's explanation that the banned substance entered his body as a result of a massage by his physiotherapist, who used a steroid-containing spray to treat a cut on their finger.
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Sinner says the anti-doping allegations were difficult to deal with
Sinner subsequently discharged physio Giacomo Naldi and his trainer Umberto Ferrara, who supplied Naldi with an over-the-counter spray.
Although Sinner had to forfeit his 400 ranking points from Indian Wells – and $325,000 in prize money – he was able to continue competing and went on to win the US Open in September, adding to the Australian Open title he won earlier in the year.
“Obviously it was very difficult for me to enjoy certain moments. Also how I carried myself or walked on the court in certain tournaments before, it wasn't the same as I was,” Sinner said after his victory at Flushing Meadows.
“It wasn't easy, that's for sure, but otherwise I tried to stay focused, which I think I did great, mentally staying there every point I play, and that's it.
'Ridiculous' – how the tennis world initially reacted
Sinner, 23, has maintained his innocence, saying the amount of clostebol found in his system was less than a billionth of a gram.
A statement issued on his behalf in August said he “knew nothing” of the breach.
“Jannik didn't know anything about this, and his physiotherapist didn't know he was using a product containing clostebol,” the statement said.
“The physical therapist treated Jannik without gloves and in combination with the various skin lesions on Jannik's body it caused unintentional contamination.”
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Sinner defeated Taylor Fritz to win the US Open
But the decision to release him has been heavily criticized ahead of the US Open, with some players citing perceived inconsistencies.
Nick Kyrios, Denis Shapovalov and Liam Broady all took to social media when he did the first announcement was published in August.
Kyrios called the decision 'ridiculous', while both Shapovalov and Broady expressed opinions that other players would have received a different outcome.
“Ridiculous – either by accident or by design. You test twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be out for 2 years. Your performance is improved. Massage cream…. Yeah, nice,” Kyrgios posted on X.
“Different rules for different players,” Canadian Denis Shapovalov posted on X. “I can't imagine how every other player suspended for contaminated substances feels right now.”
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Speaking at the US Open, Sinner says he did nothing wrong after twice being cleared for testing positive for the banned substance clostebol
Roger Federer said he believed Sinner had done nothing wrong but was surprised he was allowed to continue competing.
“I think we all pretty much believe that Jannik didn't do anything,” Federer said on the NBC Today show during last year's US Open.
“But the inconsistency that potentially is that he didn't have to sit until they were 100 percent sure what was going on, I think that's a question that needs to be answered.
“I understand the frustration: 'Is he treated the same as others?' And I think that's what it comes down to.”
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