High -end male pro tennis Jannik sinner Was suspended by the World Anti -Doping Agency (AMA) after having tested twice positive for an anabolic steroid prohibited almost a year ago. The news of the ban occurs just a few weeks after the Italian tennis pro won its third Grand Chelem title.
Wada announced on Saturday in a press release that he agreed with the conclusion of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which found that the sinner had not intentionally used a prohibited substance For a competitive gain.
Jannik Sinner of Italy in action in his match against Marcos Giron in the United States of America in the third round of male singles at the Australian Open 2025 in Melbourne Park on January 18, 2025. (Images Mike Frey-Imagn)
“The AMA accepts the athlete’s explanation for the cause of the violation as indicated in the decision at first instance,” the statement said.
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“Wada accepts that Mr. Sinner did not intend to cheat and that his exposure to Clostebol had not provided any benefit of performance improvement and took place without his knowledge following the negligence of the members of his entourage. “
Sinner, 23 years old, was tested positive for low levels of metabolite of clostebole, a prohibited anabolic steroid that can be used for ophthalmological and dermatological use, in March 2024. Eight days after the Indian Wells tournament, sin sample competition.
According to the initial results of the ITIA, the sinner explained that he had been tested positive after receiving a massage from a coach who had used an over -the -counter spray which contained clostebol to treat a small injury after having cut his own finger.
Jannik Sinner plays in the male final in the simple tennis tournament 2024 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 8, 2024. (Images Robert Deutsch-Imagn)
Jannik Sinner wins the Australian Open for the 2nd consecutive time
While the AMA accepted the faultless explanation, the organization said that the three -month suspension was necessary because “an athlete is responsible for the negligence of those around them”. The AMA had initially challenged the ITIA decision without suspension and was looking for a minimum of one year before agreeing to be content with a three -month suspension.
Wada said the victories of Sinner would not be canceled in this case due to the ITIA conclusions according to which the positive results of the tests had not provided competitive advantage.
Sinner published a statement on Saturday by accepting the AMA discipline.
“This case had been suspended from me now for almost a year and the process had a lot of time to run with a decision, perhaps only at the end of the year,” he said. “I have always admitted that I am responsible for my team and that I realize that the strict AMA rules are an important protection for the sport that I like. On this basis, I accepted Wada’s offer to resolve these procedures on the basis of a three -month sanction. “
Jannik Sinner of Italy in action in his match against Ben Shelton of the United States of America in the semi-finals of male singles at the Australian Open 2025 in Melbourne Park on January 24, 2025. (Images Mike Frey-Imagn)
Sinner’s doping scandal has received mixed reactions from the tennis community, but the announcement on Saturday was greeted by overwhelming disappointment from the biggest sports stars.
Among the most frank criticisms was Australian tennis star Nick Kryrgios.
“So Wada will release and say that it would be a ban from 1 to 2 years,” said Kryrgios in an article on X. “Obviously, the sinful team has done everything in their power to move forward And take a 3 -month ban, no lost title, no lost price.
The sinner suspension will last until May 4. He will not miss the Italian Open or none of the Grand Slam tournaments.
