World number one gets three-month tennis ban for doping

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Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has been suspended for three months following a doping charge.

The 23-year-old Italian player, who had won the Grand Slam twice in 2024, tested positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol in March, claiming that the substance was accidentally ingested after a massage given by his physiotherapist.

He has now accepted the prohibition and resolved his case with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The organisation stated: "Mr Sinner will serve his period of ineligibility from 9 February 2025 to 11.59pm on 4 May 2025."

The reigning Australian and US Open champion will be able to resume playing tennis at his home tournament, the Italian Open in Rome, before the French Open, which is scheduled to start in late May.

Someone on X said: "Terrible day for tennis. There's no fairness in tennis".

What is the background to the situation?

The rider was initially cleared of doping in August by an independent tribunal, which ruled that he was not responsible.

The board accepted Sinner's explanation that clostebol entered his body as a result of a massage from his physiotherapist, who had used a spray called Trofodermin, containing the steroid to treat a cut on their finger.

The sinner subsequently dismissed physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi and his trainer Umberto Ferrara, who had provided Naldi with the over-the-counter spray.

Although Sinner was required to forfeit 400 ranking points and his prize money from Indian Wells, he was able to continue competing.

In September, he added to the Australian Open title he won at the beginning of the year and successfully defended it the previous month.

However, WADA argued the 'no fault or negligence' verdict was incorrect. It appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and was seeking a ban "of between one and two years".

Tennis star pleaded innocence

Sinner had always claimed he was innocent, arguing that the small amount of clostebol found in his system was less than a billionth of a gram. "I haven't done anything wrong," he said in January.

But on Saturday, Sinner said in a statement: "I have accepted WADA's offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month ban."

"I've always acknowledged that I'm accountable for my team and recognise that WADA's strict regulations are a crucial safeguard for the sport I'm passionate about," he added.

What did the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) say in its most recent statement?

WADA stated that Sinner "did not intentionally cheat and that his exposure to clostebol did not offer any performance-enhancing benefits and occurred without his knowledge, due to the negligence of individuals within his entourage".

However, according to the Code and in accordance with CAS precedent, an athlete is held accountable for the negligence of their entourage.

'No competitive advantage secured' - lawyer

Reacting to the suspension, which runs until 4 May, Sinner's lawyer said: "It is evident that Jannik had no intent, no knowledge, and gained no unfair advantage."

Jamie Singer of Onside Law stated: "Unfortunately, mistakes made by his team were the cause of this situation."

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He told NBC's Today show that he thought Sinner had done nothing wrong, although he was surprised that the Italian had not been suspended until the case was resolved.