World No. 1 Jannik Sinner accepts immediate three-month ban from tennis

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has reached an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to accept a three-month ban from tennis effective immediately.

The ban takes effect from February 9 until May 4 and relates to two positive drug tests in 2024.

Sinner failed those two drug tests last year for the banned substance clostebol in March. An independent tribunal initially accepted his explanation over how the banned substance managed to get into his system, but WADA later opted to appeal that decision, with the initial hearing at CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) set for April.

But it has now emerged that Sinner has reached a settlement with WADA, agreeing to a three-month suspension effective immediately.

It means the Australian Open champion will not be able to compete until the beginning of May, therefore he will be able to enter the field for the next Grand Slam at Roland Garros, which begins on 25 May.

Sinner will miss both Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami, along with much of the traditional clay court season, including Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.

He will be eligible to play in Rome on home soil before the second slam of the season begins in Paris.

WADA accepts that Mr. Sinner did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage,” the statement from WADA read.

“However, under the Code and by virtue of CAS precedent, an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence. Based on the unique set of facts of this case, a three-month suspension is deemed to be an appropriate outcome.

“As previously stated, WADA did not seek a disqualification of any results, save that which was previously imposed by the tribunal of first instance.

“The International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Integrity Agency, both co-respondents to WADA’s CAS appeal, neither of which appealed the first-instance decision, both accepted the case resolution agreement.”

Sinner will not be able to defend his ranking points from Indian Wells, where he reached the semi-finals last season, nor Miami, where he was victorious.

Add in his semi-final from Monte-Carlo, and it looks possible that Sinner will lose his No. 1 world ranking to either Alexander Zverev or Carlos Alcaraz in the coming months.

“As per the Code Article 10.14.2, Mr. Sinner may return to official training activity from 13 April 2025,” the statement continued.

“In light of the case resolution agreement, WADA has formally withdrawn its appeal to CAS. ”

Sinner later released his own statement, clarifying why he accepted the three-month suspension:

“I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction,” he said.

“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.”

The Italian’s lawyer added: “It is clear that Jannik had no intent, no knowledge, and gained no competitive advantage. Regrettably, errors made by members of his team led to this situation.”