The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has formally lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, challenging the decision that cleared men's world No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner of wrongdoing following two positive tests for a banned steroid.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Montreal-based global anti-doping authority announced that it is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years for the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion, arguing that the initial finding of 'no fault or negligence' was legally flawed under applicable code provisions.
Contamination Defense and the Independent Tribunal Ruling
Sinner tested positive twice for microscopic concentrations of clostebol—an anabolic steroid prohibited at all times—during the Indian Wells tournament in California in March 2024. In August, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) disclosed that an independent tribunal had accepted Sinner's explanation that the substance entered his system unintentionally.
According to testimony accepted by the tribunal, Sinner's physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, used an over-the-counter Italian healing spray called Trofodermin containing clostebol to treat a cut on his own finger, subsequently transferring trace amounts to Sinner during daily massage sessions without wearing gloves.
“It is WADA's assessment that the finding of 'no fault or negligence' was not correct under the applicable rules. WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed.”
WADA's Legal Challenge and High-Stakes CAS Appeal
The case has generated intense debate across professional tennis, with several high-profile players and commentators questioning the transparency and expedited nature of the initial proceedings compared to doping suspensions served by lower-ranked competitors.
Responding to the appeal while competing at the China Open in Beijing, Sinner expressed deep disappointment, stating that he had cooperated fully with all investigators and remains confident that CAS arbitrators will uphold the factual determination that he had zero intent or negligence in the contamination.
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