Jannik Sinner said he is disappointed and surprised that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is appealing against the decision to clear him over two failed doping tests earlier this year.
The world No.1 tested positive for clostebol – a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass – on two separate occasions. An independent panel concluded that Sinner had no fault or negligence in the matter and avoided a suspension after being able to prove the source of his failed drugs tests. His former physio Giacomo Naldi used a spray for a cut on his finger that contained the banned drug and passed it onto the tennis player after treating him without wearing gloves. Naldi is no longer a member of Sinner’s team, as well as Umberto Ferrara. Ferrara is said to have supplied the spray to Naldi.
However, WADA has issued an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and argues the tribunal ruling was “not correct under the applicable rules”. The organization is seeking a ban of between one and two years.
“We cannot control everything, no? 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.” Sinner told reporters at the China Open after beating Roman Safiullin 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
“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.
“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.”
Angelo Binaghi, who is the President of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, believes the outcome of WADA’s appeal will be ‘positive’ for Sinner and put an end to speculation.
“We have great faith in the body (the CAS) that will have to put an end to the case,” said Binaghi.
“Since Sinner has on his side not only the evidence of the facts but also the acquittal by three independent bodies, I am sure that the only effect of the Wada appeal will be positive because it will establish the boy’s innocence and put an end once and for all to this affair, giving us back a champion in full serenity.”
Sinner, who denies deliberately taking a banned substance, is free to continue playing on the Tour. It is unknown how long the process will take or if a decision will be made before the end of this year.
On the court, Sinner is currently on a 13-match winning streak after capturing titles at the Cincinnati Masters and US Open. He has won 57 matches so far this season which is the joint-highest on the ATP Tour along with Alexander Zverev.
