Jannik Sinner Accepts Three-Month Ban, Set to Return for French Open
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month doping ban after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), allowing him to return in time for the French Open in May.
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WADA had originally appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after an independent tribunal cleared Jannik Sinner of wrongdoing in August, following his failed drug test. However, the two sides have now come to an agreement on his period of ineligibility.
Sinner, who successfully defended his Australian Open title last month, tested positive for the anabolic agent clostebol. The 23-year-old explained that the substance entered his system unintentionally through massages and sports therapy from a member of his support team.
His ban officially started on February 9 and will run until May 4, meaning he will miss major ATP Masters 1000 tournaments at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid. However, he will be allowed to resume training on April 13, just in time to prepare for Roland Garros, which begins on May 25.
WADA’s Statement and Settlement
WADA confirmed the agreement in a statement on Saturday, acknowledging that Sinner did not intentionally cheat, nor did the exposure to clostebol provide any performance-enhancing benefits. However, under anti-doping rules, athletes are ultimately responsible for the negligence of their support team.
"This case had been hanging over me for nearly a year, and the process could have dragged on until the end of this year," Sinner said in a statement. "I’ve always accepted responsibility for my team and understand that WADA’s strict rules are important for protecting the sport I love. On that basis, I have agreed to resolve this case with a three-month sanction."
WADA has formally withdrawn its appeal to CAS following the settlement and did not seek disqualification of Sinner’s results. If the case had gone to a hearing in April, he could have faced a ban of up to two years.
ATP's Response and Recent Doping Cases
The ATP acknowledged the resolution, emphasizing the importance of players carefully managing treatments and substances used by themselves or their teams.
Sinner is the second top-ranked player in recent months to face a doping ban. In November, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), another banned substance.
Despite the setback, Sinner is now focused on his return, with his sights set on making a strong comeback at the French Open.
