What’s next for Jannik Sinner after Wada’s decision to appeal his drugs case

The decision by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) to appeal the case of Jannik Sinner – who tested positive twice for a banned drug earlier this year but was given a no-fault ruling – leaves the world No 1 facing a tricky time in his career.

The Australian Open and US Open champion was cleared of any wrongdoing in the original International Tennis Integrity Agency case, a tribunal accepting his team’s explanation that the banned drug – Clostobol – can only have got into his system by cross-contamination via a spray which was personally used by his physio.

Some players questioned why Sinner was able to escape provisional bans in either case, both of which happened during Indian Wells in March, 2024. The Italian successfully appealed both times, the speed of his team’s explanation and his own testimony playing a part.

But now the Italian faces another period of uncertainty as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) considers the appeal. Here’s an outline of what happens next:

How long could SINNER be banned?

In its statement, Wada said it is seeking a ban of between one and two years. Theoretically, CAS could issue a ban of any length, but it’s unlikely it would be any longer than two years.

COULD SINNER LOSE HIS US OPEN TITLE?

No. Wada says it is not seeking to overturn any results, other than those from Indian Wells that were already chalked off after the ITIA ruling. Therefore, any ban would begin from the date it is issued.

HOW LONG WILL THE APPEAL TAKE?

According to CAS, appeals usually take between six and 12 months to be completed. However, in some cases, the timeframe can be shorter. Maria Sharapova, whose ban was reduced from two years to 15 months in 2016, the case was completed within four months. In special cases, interim measures could be introduced, according to CAS.

WHO ACTUALLY MAKES THE DECISION?

According to the CAS website, a panel of three independent arbitrators, chosen from a CAS list, will hear the appeal. Each side will choose one arbitrator and the president of the panel is selected by the President of the Appeals Arbitration Division.

COULD SINNER APPEAL ANY CAS BAN?

It’s a bit of a grey area. Some cases can be appealed to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, but the scope for this is very narrow. “Judicial recourse to the Swiss Federal Tribunal is allowed on a very limited number of grounds, such as lack of jurisdiction, violation of elementary procedural rules (e.g. violation of the right to a fair hearing) or incompatibility with public policy,” CAS says.

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