The world of tennis has been shocked by news that will shake up the landscape of the ATP Tour.
World number one Jannik Sinner has been banned from tennis for three months, having tested positive for Clostebol in 2024.
Sinner had been waiting for WADA’s appeal, who were looking for the Italian to be sidelined for up to two years.
The three-month ban will see Sinner miss four Masters 1000 events: Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, and Madrid but will see him return ahead of his home Italian Open, and the French Open in May.
A longer ban could’ve forced Sinner to skip Grand Slam events, so the Italian will be glad to have not received such a punishment.
One ATP Tour star who has been outspoken about Sinner’s doping case immediately took to social media to share his thoughts on the decision.
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios reacted to the news on X shortly after the ban was announced.
“So WADA [World Anti Doping Agency] come out and say it would be a 1-2 year ban,” he said.
“Obviously [Jannik] Sinner’s team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a three month ban, no titles lost, no prize money lost.
“Guilty or not?
“Sad day for tennis.
“Fairness in tennis does not exist.”
Kyrgios has long called for Sinner to receive a lengthy ban after his positive doping test, thoughts he made clear last August.
“Ridiculous,” he said.
“Whether it was accidental or planned, you get tested twice with a banned substance you should be gone for two years.
“Your performance was enhanced.”
WADA’s statement reiterated the belief that Sinner did not ‘cheat’ and that his exposure to Clostebol did not ‘enhance’ his performance.
“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,” they said.
The Italian world number one tested positive for Clostebol last March at Indian Wells, as he was stripped of his prize money and ranking points from the event.
Sinner then went on to become the best player in men’s tennis, clinching several Masters 1000 crowns and two Grand Slam titles.
Tournament | Tier | Final Opponent | Score |
2024 Miami Open | Masters 1000 | Grigor Dimitrov | Won in two sets |
2024 Halle Open | ATP 500 | Hubert Hurkacz | Won in two sets |
2024 Cincinnati Open | Masters 1000 | Frances Tiafoe | Won in two sets |
2024 US Open | Grand Slam | Taylor Fritz | Won in three sets |
2024 Shanghai Masters | Masters 1000 | Novak Djokovic | Won in two sets |
2024 ATP Finals | ATP Finals | Taylor Fritz | Won in two sets |
2025 Australian Open | Grand Slam | Alexander Zverev | Won in three sets |
The 23-year-old has dominated the ATP Tour, winning seven titles since then, establishing himself as the best player in the game.
Sinner won the Australian Open earlier this year as he dismantled world number two Alexander Zverev in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.
Sinner is not set to be stripped of any of his titles, as he was believed to be fully compliant with the rules at the events.
The Italian will now face a spell out with the ban before returning to action at his home Italian Open, which begins on May 5.
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