Jannik Sinner‘s doping controversy seems to be far from over – even though it technically is. Now, you must be wondering why? On Saturday, the World No.1 shocked the tennis community with a huge revelation. He has accepted a 3-month ban following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The latter previously wanted to have a hearing for him at the Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS) in April. But then it just opted to have him prohibited from the sport for 90 days. Isn’t this timeline strange?
Even former American legend Andy Roddick reflected on this outcome after WADA released its statement on February 15. What did it say? The agency mentioned that, “it has entered into a case resolution agreement in the case of Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, with the player accepting a three-month period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation that led to him testing positive for clostebol, a prohibited substance, in March 2024. ”
Later, Roddick reacted to this situation, casting doubts over how this case was handled. In an episode, dated February 15, of his Served podcast, the 2003 US Open winner said, “you could not have handpicked a better sweet spot for Jannik Sinner to take this deal which is either you know strange or it’ the you know best coincidences that’s ever happened to the Sinner team” Why? Well, if one takes a proper look at it, the World No.1 won’t necessarily lose any major opportunity this season despite the ban. Way too convenient, right? That’s exactly what another former ATP pro, Mark Petchey, also believes.
But Petchey went one step ahead of Roddick. He raised a big question mark on WADA itself. According to him, the agency got “weak” against Sinner “and thats why the settlement was in Jannik’s favor.” The ex-British pro explained that WADA couldn’t push for a longer ban since the ITIA already cleared Sinner last August. Even though he tested positive for Clostebol twice, the ITIA ruled it was “no fault or negligence” on his part. Since it wasn’t intentional, Sinner and his team could’ve fought it at CAS, but with the 90-day ban in place, that’s off the table now.
“If they lost, their whole reason of existence was finished. The whole ‘no fault/negligence’ was burnt to the ground and that is the cornerstone of their ability to prosecute. Lose that and they are scanning barcodes in a grocery store as a living.” Importantly, Petchey also noted that this treatment to Sinner “has nothing to do with favoritism but a poor legal position” of WADA.
Anyone actually taken a step back, realized how weak WADA’s position was here and that s why the settlement was in Jannik’s favor.
They are the custodians of the anti-doping citadel.
If they lost, their whole reason of existence was finished. The whole ‘no fault/negligence”…
— Mark Petchey (@_markpetchey) February 16, 2025
In case anyone missed it, former WTA World No.1 Iga Świątek tested positive for Trimetazidine (TMZ) last August. Even WADA had to back down on this one But in her case, too, the ITIA found that her fault was “at the lowest end of the range for no significant fault or negligence.” Plus, her team proved that she didn’t take TMZ on purpose. It left WADA no option but to withdraw its appeal against the Pole at the CAS. In its statement, WADA revealed that its “scientific experts have confirmed that the specific contaminated melatonin scenario, as presented by the athlete and accepted by the ITIA, is plausible and that there would be no scientific grounds to challenge it at CAS”
Now coming back to Sinner’s situation, he doesn’t need to worry too much going forward. In fact, he seemed more relaxed after receiving the ban on Saturday. But why?
Jannik Sinner reveals what made him accept a 3-month suspension from tennis
For his hardcore fans and himself, the clouds of uncertainty have now cleared. And it’s time to look ahead. After the news spread online, Jannik Sinner shared a statement, through his lawyers, while explaining the reason behind taking this ban. Was he worried? Well, sort of. But why?
“This case had been hanging over me for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision, maybe only at the end of the year,” read his statement as reported by BBC on February 15. Continuing further, the three-time Major winner added, “I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize Wada’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis I have accepted Wada’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction.”
The upside? Sinner won’t miss a Slam this season. His ban runs from Feb 9 to May 4, so he’s all set for his home ATP event in Italy on May 7. Plus, he’ll be ready to hit the French Open later that month.
During the ban, he will miss out on ATP tournaments such as the Qatar Open, BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, and Madrid Open. But he will be fine that, considering his Slam opportunity isn’t going anywhere. What are your thoughts on the World No.1’s three-month ban? Let us know in the comments below.
The post Tennis Veteran Reveals WADA’s Weak Stance on Jannik Sinner’s Suspension Hours After Andy Roddick Questions Timeline appeared first on EssentiallySports.
