Fresh trouble for Sinner as WADA challenges ITIA’s decision in doping case

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has officially challenged the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s decision to free Jannik Sinner of any wrongdoing in the Clostebol doping scandal. WADA filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday, September 26.

Sinner tested positive for Clostebol, a banned steroid, twice during the 2024 Indian Wells Open in March and faced an investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that lasted until August. The Italian, meanwhile, continued to compete on the ATP Tour after successfully appealing provisional suspensions.

He was eventually cleared on the grounds that the prohibited substance entered his body due to his physio Giacomo Naldi’s negligence. Naldi used a spray containing Clostebol to heal one of his wounded fingers at Indian Wells and exposed the world No 1 to it during the massages.

WADA, however, has questioned the argument and sought a ban on Sinner: “It is WADA’s view that the finding of “no fault or negligence” was not correct under the applicable rules. WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance. As this matter is now pending before CAS, WADA will make no further comment at this time.”

Sinner notably had his ranking points and prize money docked from his run to the semi-finals of the Indian Wells for failing the drugs test. He missed the Olympics because of tonsilitis, but bounced back to win the US Open, just after the original ruling was released.

Sinner reaction

Sinner said he was surprised by the news that Wada is to appeal to CAS.

“Well, we cannot control everything,” he said. “Obviously I’m very disappointed and also surprised of this appeal, to be honest, because we had three hearings. All three hearings came out very positively for me. I was not expecting it. I knew it couple of days ago, that they were going to appeal, that today it’s going to go official, so…

“But yeah, it’s a surprise. We always talk about the same thing. Maybe they just want to make sure that everything is in the right position. Yeah, I’m just surprised that they appealed.

Sinner is currently in Beijing, defending his China Open title, and was speaking after beating Russia’s Roman Safiullin in three sets on Saturday to reach the last 16.

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