World No. 1 Sinner accepts three-month ban after WADA agreement

Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month suspension from tennis following an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over two failed drug tests last year.

The world no. 1 and reigning Australian Open champion will be ineligible to compete until 4 may.

The ban, which took effect on 9 february, stems from two positive tests for the banned substance clostebol in march 2024. An independent tribunal initially accepted Sinner's explanation regarding the unintentional presence of the substance in his system. However, WADA later appealed the decision, with a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing initially set for april.

Instead, a settlement has now been reached, with Sinner agreeing to an immediate three-month suspension. This means he will be unable to participate in the ATP Masters 1000 events at Indian Wells and Miami, as well as key clay-court tournaments in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, and Madrid. However, he will be eligible to return in time for the Rome Masters, just ahead of the French Open, which begins on 25 may.

No performance enhancement, but strict liability applies

In a statement, WADA acknowledged that Sinner had not intentionally cheated and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit. Instead, the agency attributed the violation to the negligence of members of his entourage.

"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," read the statement.

"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."

The statement also confirmed that WADA did not seek to disqualify any of Sinner's results beyond those already affected by the initial tribunal ruling. The International Tennis Federation and the International Tennis Integrity Agency, both co-respondents in WADA's CAS appeal, also accepted the settlement.

Potential loss of World No. 1 ranking

Sinner's absence from Indian Wells, where he reached the semi-finals last year, and Miami, where he was the defending champion, could result in a significant loss of ranking points. With a semi-final finish in Monte-Carlo also set to drop off his tally, he risks surrendering the world no. 1 ranking to either Alexander Zverev or Carlos Alcaraz in the coming months.

Despite the suspension, he will be permitted to resume official training from 13 april, as outlined under Article 10.14.2 of the WADA Code. With the case resolved, WADA has formally withdrawn its appeal to CAS.