Table of Contents
- Jannik Sinner doping controversy hit the Italian tennis star
- He said that he planned to take a break from tennis after winning his second Australian Open Grand Slam
- He tested positive for clostebol, an anabolic steroid banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency
Jannik Sinner doping controversy hit the Italian tennis star just as he was preparing to take a break from tennis.
He said he planned to take a break from tennis after winning his second Australian Open Grand Slam in January 2025.
Sinner beat Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to win the Melbourne tournament a second time. His doping case was still ongoing at the time, but he maintained focus on clinching a third major title.
Truth Behind Jannik Sinner Doping Controversy
Shortly after winning his third slam, Sinner was handed a three-month doping ban following two positive doping tests in March 2024.
He tested positive for clostebol, an anabolic steroid banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). However, a three-month suspension triggered Jannik Sinner controversy.
Tennis pundits argued that ITIA showed favouritism in Sinner’s doping case. They said it was well calculated to have him back on the ATP Tour in May ahead of the French Open.
Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner. Photo/News10ABC
Roland Garros is the second major slam of the year, which Sinner has an interest in winning on a clay court.
His ‘lenient’ ban exposed the Italian tennis star’s lead lawyer Jamie Singer engaged senior WADA lawyers late in the night, pleading his case.
According to the BBC, Singer advised Sinner to accept the 90-day ban and maintain that he never intended to cheat following his positive doping tests.
He [Singer] engaged a senior WADA legal representative on the night of February 14 via a phone call. It’s then that Sinner gladly accepted a three-month doping ban, terming it ‘a result of mutual agreement.’
The three-time Grand Slam champion explained thereafter that the resolution of the case was arrived at in just a few days.
Sinner Refusal to Accept Doping Ban Deal
Another big part of Jannik Sinner doping controversy was his refusal to accept a ban over what he said was a betrayal of his innocence.
It was a nightmare for his coach, support team members and his legal representation to convince him [Sinner]. In August 2024, Sinner told an independent tribunal hearing his case that he did not take clostebol intentionally.
He explained that traces of the banned substance got into his system after a massage session during his routine physiotherapy sessions.
The tribunal accepted his explanation and cleared him of ‘intentional doping’ but still insisted on a ban.
World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner. Photo/BBC
Sinner couldn’t hear any of this as WADA piled pressure on the tribunal over its ruling, arguing that the world No. 1 wasn’t fully free from negligence.
WADA stated that Sinner was liable to a 12-month to 24-month doping ban according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Somehow, WADA toned down on its public statements regarding Sinner’s doping case and the ruling by the independent tribunal that heard his case.
The anti-doping watchdog reached out to the Italians’ legal team twice for an amicable resolution of the case. Singer rejected WADA’s case resolution, saying they were ready to defend in the Court of Arbitration.
However, the second reach out by WADA got things moving, and a deal was finally reached on February 14.
Life After Doping
Jannik Sinner doping controversy nearly pushed him off the tennis courts ahead of the 2025 Australian Open. He told TG1, an Italian broadcaster, that there was a feeling of being unwelcome in the locker room.
He attributed it to his two positive doping tests in March 2024. Luckily, his small circle encouraged him to keep playing despite everything.
Sinner describes the last year as tough because he had to keep his head up in the face of controversy.
