World number one tennis star Jannik Sinner has agreed to a three-month suspension, following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding two positive drug tests from last year.
The 23-year-old Italian, who claimed victory at the Australian Open just last month, will be suspended from February 9 until May 4. However, he is expected to return in time for the French Open, set to begin on May 19.
This decision comes after WADA appealed a ruling by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in 2024, which had cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing despite the positive tests for clostebol, a banned substance.
WADA had initially pushed for a ban of up to two years, but after reviewing Sinner’s explanation—that the contamination occurred unknowingly through his physiotherapist’s use of an over-the-counter spray—the agency accepted his claims of inadvertent exposure.
Sinner, who has three Grand Slam titles under his belt, acknowledged the mistake, stating that the contamination occurred without his knowledge and was the result of negligence on the part of his entourage.
WADA has clarified that it does not believe Sinner intended to cheat, nor did the banned substance provide any performance-enhancing benefits.
However, under the established rules, athletes are held responsible for their team’s actions, which led to the three-month suspension.
In his statement, Sinner expressed relief that the prolonged case, which had hung over him for nearly a year, was finally settled. “I have always accepted responsibility for my team and understand that WADA’s rules are crucial to protecting the integrity of the sport I love,” he said. “I am thankful this matter has been resolved with a fair sanction.”
The Italian’s suspension means he will miss several major tournaments, including the prestigious hard-court events in Indian Wells and Miami, along with key clay court tournaments leading up to the French Open.
He will also lose the opportunity to defend ranking points earned at these events, putting his position at the top of the ATP rankings at risk. As of now, Sinner holds a commanding lead with 11,830 points, more than 3,000 ahead of Germany’s Alexander Zverev (8,135) and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (7,510).
The suspension will also prevent Sinner from defending his title at the Miami Open and other 1,000-point tournaments such as Indian Wells, the Monte Carlo Masters, and the Madrid Open. Losing these points will impact his rankings, but much will depend on the performance of his closest rivals in upcoming events.
Sinner’s return to official training is set for April 13, and his next competitive appearance is expected to be at the Italian Open, starting on May 7, just before the French Open.
This resolution comes in the midst of a turbulent period for tennis, with other high-profile players like Iga Swiatek also facing suspensions for similar doping violations in the past months.
Despite the setback, Sinner remains a key figure in men’s tennis, with hopes that this chapter will soon be behind him as he focuses on reclaiming his top spot in the sport.
