GAME, SET, MATCH

Tennis Star Settles Doping Case With Three-Month Ban

After testing positive twice for a banned anabolic steroid, Jannik Sinner blamed “daily massages and sports therapy.”

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has agreed to a three-month ban to settle a doping case that has plagued the men’s world No. 1 player since March 2024. Sinner, 23, tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid last year, alleging the substance was passed to him transdermally from “daily massages and sports therapy.” He was suspended following the tests, but he successfully appealed the decision and was ultimately found not at fault by the International Tennis Integrity Agency. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency lodged an appeal of the decision that it has agreed to drop on condition Sinner is suspended until May 4. “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,” the agency said in a Saturday statement. “However, under the Code and by virtue of CAS precedent, an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence.” In a statement to CNN, Sinner expressed respect for “WADA’s strict rules” that are “an important protection for the sport I love.” He will be eligible to compete in the upcoming French Open.