Tennis chiefs issue new statement as appeals roll out

Jannik Sinner hoped his drugs test nightmare was behind him after tennis chiefs cleared him and allowed him to continue his career.

The world’s No. 1 offender faces the renewed threat of a ban after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed against a ruling of “no fault or negligence” for two positive tests it returned in March.

Sinner, who won the US Open earlier this month, tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March, but on August 20 an independent court found him not at fault and did not impose no punishment

The court accepted Sinner’s explanation that the banned substance entered his body as a result of a massage by his physiotherapist, who had used an aerosol containing the steroid to treat a cut on his finger.

But WADA has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to impose a ban of up to two years on the 23-year-old Italian.

A statement from the agency said: “It is the AMA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was incorrect under the applicable rules.

“The WADA is asking for a period of disqualification of between one and two years. The WADA is not asking for the disqualification of any result, except that which has already been imposed by the court of first instance.”

The International Tennis Integrity Agency’s handling of the case has been the subject of heated debate since the news of Sinner’s failed tests was confirmed, with many current and former players suggesting that the the Australian and US Open received preferential treatment due to their status in the men’s game.

The ITIA has faced many questions about how they dealt with the ITIA has now issued a new statement offering their thoughts on the Sinner case and the WADA appeal.

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“The third quarter of 2024 understandably brought a lot of interest and commentary on anti-doping proceedings in tennis, following the release of an independent tribunal’s decision of No Fault or Negligence in the case of Jannik Sinner,” he said Karen Moorhouse, CEO of ITIA.

The case management process for anti-doping cases is complex and we understand that it can be confusing to understand differences in outcome or perceived inconsistencies in the process.

To be absolutely clear, the process is defined by the World Anti-Doping Code, established by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. The way we handle cases does not change, regardless of the profile of the player involved. How a case unfolds is determined by its unique circumstances, facts and science.

In Sinner’s case, we understand that the appeal centers on the independent tribunal’s interpretation and application of the rules in determining what, if any, level of culpability is applicable to the player, rather than ITIA’s research on facts and science.

That said, we recognize that it is our responsibility to work with members of the tennis family to ensure that there is trust in the process, and we invite conversations with players, their representatives and the media about this.”

The timescale for the WADA appeals process is unclear, and Sinner admits he is disappointed that his failed drug test nightmare is back on the tennis agenda.

“I’m very disappointed and also surprised by the appeal to be honest,” Sinner said.

“I didn’t expect that. Maybe they just want to make sure everything is in the right position.”

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