Jannik Sinner’s Doping Case: ​A Timeline of⁤ Events

Top-level tennis player Jannik Sinner expressed his disappointment and surprise after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced its intention⁤ to appeal​ the decision to clear him ⁣of‍ doping ‍charges.

The Montreal-based organization is ​seeking a ban ​of⁢ one ⁣to two years for the US Open champion, but ⁢has stated that it does not plan ​to backdate the ‍final ban, allowing Sinner to retain his ⁣second‍ Grand Slam title even if he is found ‌guilty.

Sinner tested positive for anabolic steroids in March, ⁤but was ​not banned due to⁢ an ‍independent tribunal decision that found he was not ⁤responsible for the presence​ of the banned substance in his system.

The explanation accepted by⁢ the tribunal was that the banned performance-enhancing⁤ drug had unintentionally entered Sinner’s ⁣system through a massage by a physiotherapist who used a spray containing steroids to treat ​his injured finger.

WADA’s Appeal

WADA has filed an appeal with the⁢ Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), stating that it believes the tribunal’s decision was incorrect and that Sinner should ⁤face a period​ of ineligibility of between one and two years.

The global watchdog⁢ has suggested that the rules were not followed‍ correctly in Sinner’s case, despite the ⁤prosecutor, Nicolas Zbinden, being a lawyer with experience in handling high-profile cases for ⁢WADA.

A Ruling​ Could ‍Come Quickly

If the parties agree to cooperate, an appeal‍ decision from⁢ CAS⁢ could be reached quickly, potentially‌ within a few months.

However, the ‍case is⁤ unlikely to be resolved before Sinner begins‍ defending his Australian Open title in January, and ‍he will ‍be allowed to continue playing while the appeal is pending.

The Case of Maria Sharapova

A similar case involving Maria Sharapova, who tested positive for​ the banned​ heart ⁣drug meldonium at the⁣ Australian Open ⁢in 2016, may provide some ‌insight into the potential⁢ timeline for Sinner’s case.

Sharapova’s appeal to CAS was heard before‌ three ⁣judges ⁢in New York, and a decision ​was reached just four weeks later, reducing⁣ her ban from ‌two years to 15 months.

Sinner’s Positive Tests

Sinner tested positive ​for low ​levels⁣ of a metabolite of Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, at the Indian Wells hard ‌court event‌ in March.

He tested⁢ positive again in an out-of-competition sample eight days later, leading to his ⁣provisional suspension by the Tennis Integrity Authority.

Sinner successfully appealed the suspension twice to Independent Tribunal⁤ judges and was allowed to continue competing on tour.

The Over-the-Counter Spray

Sinner explained that ​his test results came about because his fitness⁢ trainer had purchased a generic spray called ​Trofodermin, which contains Clostebol, to treat cuts on his fingers.

The physiotherapist then treated Sinner ⁣without gloves,‌ resulting in the presence of⁤ steroids ⁤in his system.

The ITIA accepted Sinner’s explanation after conducting an investigation and interviewing players and⁤ entourage.

The⁢ tennis integrity body’s decision ordered Sinner to lose $325,000 ⁢in prize money and 400 ranking points he won at the Indian Wells⁢ tournament.

Sinner later announced that he had fired two ⁤trainers ​in ‍response to the ‌incident.

The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation⁣ has expressed its confidence in the CAS and its⁢ ability⁢ to ‌make a fair decision in Sinner’s case.