Jannik Sinner insists he has ‘done nothing wrong’ as he awaits the outcome of an appeal against the decision not to suspend him for failing two anti-doping tests.
The world No.1 failed two drugs tests in 2024 after testing positive for the steroid clostebol. He was cleared of wrongdoing by The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) who concluded he had no fault or negligence following an investigation which was conducted by an independent panel. It was accepted that Sinner was accidentally contaminated after being treated by a former physio who was using a spray on his hand that contained the banned substance.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport arguing that the ITIA’s finding of no fault or negligence is ‘not correct under the applicable rules.’ They are seeking a ban of up to two years on the viewpoint that Sinner had a degree of responsibility in ensuring that his team wasn’t using prohibited substances.
“In my mind I know exactly what happened, and that’s how I block it (out),” Sinner told reporters in Melbourne on Friday.
“I haven’t done anything wrong, that’s why I’m still here. That’s why I’m still playing.”
The tennis star admits the case is still on his mind as he awaits a date for the appeal.
“You think about this, of course,” he said. “I would lie if I would tell you I forget.
“It’s something that I have with me now already for quite a long time. But it is what it is. I’m here trying to prepare (for) the Grand Slam. Let’s see how it goes.”
“I know exactly as much as you guys know (about the date for his case). We are in a stage where we don’t know many, many things.”
Sinner is free to continue playing on the Tour for the foreseeable future. If the CAS sides with the WADA and issues him with a ban, he can appeal against that decision at the Swiss Federal Tribunal. However, this is only allowed on grounds such as lack of jurisdiction, violation of the right to a fair hearing or incompatibility with public policy.
Earlier this week, the head of the ATP said the sport would ‘survive’ should the world No.1 be issued with a suspension of some kind. Andrea Gaudenzi has hit back at what he describes as ‘misinformation‘ about the case and dismissed suggestions that favoritism helped Sinner escape a penalty from the ITIA.
“Obviously it’s not good for the sport and it would be a shame,” Gaudenzi told The Australian Associated Press.
“But we will have to live with it and justice will do its course.
“If that is the case, I think he’ll survive and I think we’ll survive. Overall, tennis is a very strong product.
“When I started, I was in the age of ‘OK, you’re going to have an issue because Rafa (Nadal) or Roger (Federer) or Novak (Djokovic) are retiring and there’s a new generation’.
“And I’ve lived through the whole Agassi and Sampras, ‘when they retire it’s going to be a disaster’ type of thing.
“But the whole product is very, very strong.”
Sinner is the top seed at the Australian Open where he will start his campaign against Nicolas Jarry. He is bidding to become the fourth man since 2000 to win back-to-back titles in Melbourne after Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
