Jannik Sinner will face a long ban from tennis unlike Iga Swiatek if WADA wins appeal, believes ITIA CEO By Prem Mehta

Jannik Sinner, the 23-year-old Italian tennis player and current world number one, is facing a potential suspension due to doping allegations. In March 2024, Sinner tested positive twice for clostebol, a prohibited anabolic steroid. He attributed these results to accidental contamination from his physiotherapist, who used a clostebol-containing spray to treat a cut on Sinner’s finger and then provided massages without proper precautions.

An independent tribunal of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted Sinner’s explanation, ruling that he bore no fault or negligence, and allowed him to continue competing without suspension. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking a suspension of one to two years.

Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the ITIA, has commented on the case, stating that if WADA’s appeal is successful, Sinner could face a suspension of at least one year. This situation contrasts with that of Iga Swiatek, the world number two female tennis player, who served a secret one-month ban after testing positive for trimetazidine, a prohibited substance. Swiatek’s positive test was attributed to contaminated melatonin medication used for jet lag, and the ITIA determined she bore no significant fault or negligence.

As Sinner prepares to defend his Australian Open title, the outcome of WADA’s appeal remains pending, leaving his future in the sport uncertain. A suspension could significantly impact his career, potentially ruling him out of major tournaments and affecting his world number one status.