ROME (ITALPRESS) – End of a genuine nightmare for Jannik Sinner. The World Anti-Doping Agency has confirmed that an agreement has been reached, as per Article 10.8.2 of the World Anti-Doping Code, under which the world number one will suffer a three-month disqualification for clostebol positivity dating back to March 2024. So, there will be no further hearing at the Tas in Lausanne: the proceedings end here and the 23-year-old South Tyrolean outfielder, who had started the new season by conceding an encore in Melbourne, will return to the court for the Internazionali d’Italia 2025. In an official note, Wada confirmed that it accepted Sinner’s version of events regarding his clostebol positivity, namely contamination by the use of an ointment from one of his physiotherapists, who was later removed. The agency also acknowledged “that Sinner did not intend to gain an illegitimate advantage and that his exposure to clostebol provided no benefit in terms of improved performance.” Such exposure, Wada wrote, “occurred without his knowledge due to the negligence of members of his entourage. However, under the Code and by virtue of previous Tas decisions, an athlete is liable for the negligence of his entourage.” As previously stated by Wada, “no results have been requested to be cancelled except those previously imposed by the lower court,” namely those earned in Indian Wells last year and already deducted from his ranking. Thus, Sinner will retain his world No. 1 ranking and the points that currently apply to his ranking. Under the terms of the agreement, Sinner can return to tournament play on May 4 and “officially resume training” from April 13. The San Candido champion, therefore, will not return to the court in the Doha Atp 500 and will also be forced to miss the Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1000, which saw him triumph last year. Then, in April, no Monte Carlo Masters 1000, Munich Atp 500, and Madrid Masters 1000.So it will be Rome that will celebrate his return to the court, with the Masters 1000 at the Foro Italico scheduled for May 7-18. “This case had been haunting me for almost a year now, the process was still long and the decision would perhaps only be made at the end of the year,” Sinner commented, “I have always recognized that I am responsible for my team and I realize that the strict Wada rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis I accepted Wada’s offer to settle this proceeding with a three-month sanction.” Thus Sinner’s lawyer, Jamie Singer of Onside Law: “I am pleased that Jannik can finally put this difficult experience behind him. Wada has confirmed the facts established by the Independent Tribunal. It is clear that Jannik had no intent, no knowledge and gained no advantage in the competition. Unfortunately, mistakes made by his team members led to this situation.” “After a thorough investigation by, including advice from Wada accredited laboratories, we were convinced that the player had established the source of the banned substance and that the violation was unintentional. Today’s outcome supports this conclusion,” Itia, the International Tennis Integrity Agency, announced in a note. “It is the first time that a shameful injustice makes us happy because the first thought is for the boy who sees the end of a nightmare – the words of Fitp president Angelo Binaghi – This agreement between the two parties certifies Jannik’s innocence, his absolute non-guilt, and finally allows him to calm down and plan his future with a great comeback at the Internazionali d’Italia in Rome where all Italy will welcome him as he deserves. The regret remains for all he has had to go through and all the time Jannik has had to spend with this boulder. If nothing else, this will perhaps be the last big mistake by Wada, which, as we know, has already decided to change the rules that forced Jannik to accept a compromise that even if it does not recognize any of his responsibility is really unfair.”
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
