Positive doping tests: WADA calls for long bans for tennis star Sinner

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner still faces a ban despite being acquitted after two positive doping tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency WADA announced that it had lodged an appeal with the International Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne last Thursday.

The world’s number one sinner tested positive twice for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol in March. The 23-year-old did not receive a ban. The responsible tennis agency “Itia” justified the acquittal by saying that no intentional fault or negligence could be proven on the part of the two-time Grand Slam tournament winner.

According to WADA, this finding is “incorrect under the applicable rules”. WADA, based in Montreal, Canada, is therefore calling for “a ban of one to two years” for sinners. However, the authority did not request additional deletion of results in addition to those that had already been ordered by the court of first instance. Sinner won the US Open at the beginning of September.

Sinner victory in Beijing despite doping trouble

From a sporting perspective, Sinner was not impressed by the news. In the round of 16 of the ATP tournament in Beijing, after initial problems, he won against the Russian Roman Safiullin 3:6, 6:2, 6:3. With his 57th win of the season, he drew level with leader Alexander Zverev in this ranking.

“I tried to be mentally up to speed, which was very difficult today,” Sinner said afterwards. He didn’t feel 100 percent comfortable, but he raised his level “when it counted.” Sinner was not asked about the WADA objection in the ATP interview on the pitch.

How does Italy’s sports star explain himself?

In a statement he posted on social media, Sinner explained that the substance entered his body through the hands of his physical therapist. Accordingly, the carer in Italy used an over-the-counter spray containing Clostebol to treat a cut on his finger.

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Scientifically expert sinners considered the “Itia” to be credible. That’s why the tennis agency refrained from suspending Sinner, at least temporarily. This caused a lack of understanding within the tennis scene. (dpa/lk)