The World Anti-Doping Agency wants – as always – to take a close look at the decision of the responsible tennis agency. What happens then remains to be seen.
The World Anti-Doping Agency will first “carefully examine” the decision in the case of tennis world number one Jannik Sinner. WADA announced this in response to a request from the German Press Agency. WADA, which is based in Montreal, Canada, reserves the right to appeal to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne if necessary.
Colleague Kyrgios demands ban
Sinner tested positive twice in March for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol. The 23-year-old was not banned. According to the responsible tennis agency Itia, the Italian was acquitted by an independent court last Thursday. According to the court, the Australian Open champion did not intentionally use the banned substance.
A reaction from the Italian Anti-Doping Agency was still pending, but it too can appeal against the Itia decision, as Itia itself stated in the statement.
Australian tennis pro Nick Kyrgios criticized the ITI’s decision via X, formerly Twitter. “Ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be out for two years,” wrote the 29-year-old, who reached the final of the grass-court classic in Wimbledon in 2022.
In a statement he published on social media, Sinner explained that the substance entered his body through the hands of his physiotherapist. According to the statement, the therapist used a spray containing clostebol, which is available over the counter in Italy, to treat a cut on his finger.
According to the Itia, scientific experts considered Sinner’s explanation to be credible. This is why the tennis agency refrained from suspending Sinner, at least for the time being. After a further investigation by the agency, nothing changed in the matter.
Due to the positive results, Sinner was stripped of his prize money and points for the ATP tournament in Indian Wells, where he reached the semifinals in March and the positive test result was discovered.
Source: Stern
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