Sinner banned from tennis for three months in doping case

World number one, Jannik Sinner, has accepted a three-month suspension from tennis after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) following two positive drug tests in March of the previous year. The suspension, effective from February 9 to May 4, will allow Sinner to compete in the French Open, which starts in May.

Sinner tested positive for clostebol, an anabolic steroid, but maintained that he had no intention of cheating and did not gain any competitive advantage from the substance. The 2025 Australian Open champion explained that the substance entered his system when his physiotherapist applied a spray containing clostebol to treat a cut before a massage and sports therapy session. WADA accepted that Sinner’s exposure to clostebol did not enhance his performance. 

They initially sought a ban of one to two years. However, the agency recognized that Sinner had no intent to cheat and that the positive tests were a result of his team’s error. An independent tribunal initially ruled “no fault or negligence” for Sinner’s two positive tests, but WADA appealed this ruling. 

Ultimately, a three-month suspension was deemed an appropriate outcome, considering the unique circumstances of the case. WADA did not seek to disqualify any of Sinner’s results except for what the initial tribunal had already imposed.

Sinner acknowledged his responsibility for his team’s actions and accepted WADA’s proposal to resolve the matter with a three-month penalty. He stated that he has always accepted that he is responsible for his team and realizes WADA’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport he loves. The ban will see him miss several hard-court tournaments through early May. He will be eligible to return to official training activity from April. 

The situation has drawn criticism and questions, with some wondering if there was a double standard at play due to Sinner’s success. Nick Kyrgios voiced his disapproval on social media, suggesting that the leniency of the agreement indicates a lack of fairness in tennis. Former British player, Tim Henman also noted that the timing was favorable for Sinner, but the situation leaves a “sour taste” for the sport.