Jannik Sinner's Doping Ban 'A Shameful Injustice' Says Italian Tennis Federation
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The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation strongly reiterated its belief that Jannik Sinner did not deserve any ban in his doping case. However, It is also relieved that the ATP world No. 1 can move on from the saga.
Sinner and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) agreed to a three-month suspension, meaning that the scheduled hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on April 16th and 17th was not needed to resolve the case.
WADA had initially appealed the International Tennis Integrity Agency's decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing. The three-time Grand Slam champion tested positive for clostebol at March's 2024 Indian Wells Open.
The agreement with WADA was reached after the governing body accepted that Sinner did not deliberately take the substance and because last year's US Open champion wanted to move on from the case.
Sinner has received robust support from others in Italian tennis since the story broke. That included the Italian Davis Cup captain, Filippo Volandri, saying a suspension for him would be one of the biggest disgraces in sports history.
The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation used similar language to describe the confirmed ban, calling it a shameful injustice. However, the Federation is happy that Sinner can now plan his future after the suspension's confirmation.
"It's the first time that a shameful injustice makes us happy because our first thought is for the boy who sees a nightmare come to an end."
"This agreement between the two parties certifies Jannik's innocence, his absolute non-guilt, and finally allows him to calm down and plan his future with a great return to the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome where all of Italy will welcome him as he deserves."
While the support from the Federation is unsurprising, it might still provide some comfort for Sinner. The governing body has stood squarely behind the 23-year-old since the case began and will undoubtedly give any further support that he needs.
Sinner reiterated several times since the case became public that he was innocent and had a clear conscience. WADA's statement has at least confirmed beyond any dispute that he did not deliberately take the prohibited substance.
Whether Sinner and his lawyers think he would have won the case is unknown. The recent 2025 Australian Open champion mentioned in his statement how long a ruling from CAS might have taken influenced his decision to make an agreement with WADA.
Overall, the verdict can be viewed as an imperfect win for Sinner. He did not get the best-case scenario of not receiving any ban and being able to prove that the ITIA's initial verdict was entirely correct.
However, avoiding a suspension of between one and two years, which is what WADA initially wanted, is undoubtedly a significant relief. He will also not miss any Grand Slams or his home tournament at the Italian Open while he is suspended from February 9th to May 4th.
The stressful ordeal will always remain with Sinner, but he can still become a tennis legend when he returns. Maria Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, was a recent inductee into the Tennis Hall of Fame despite serving a longer ban than Sinner will.
