- Jannik Sinner could be banned for two years
- WADA has appealed decision not to ban the Italian
- Was cleared by International Tennis Integrity Agency
- Follows two positive doping tests from last March
World number one Jannik Sinner will enter his Australian Open defence knowing a court hearing in Switzerland in three months time could condemn him to a potential two-year ban for doping.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, (CAS) sport’s highest tribunal, announced on Friday it had set a date for a behind-closed-doors hearing on April 16-17 at its headquarters in Lausanne over the world No.1’s two positive doping tests from last year.
CAS will hear an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the sport’s decision not to ban Sinner, despite the Italian testing positive twice for the anabolic steroid clostebol in March.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled it was down to accidental contamination, but WADA is challenging the verdict, asking for double grand slam winner Sinner, victor in the US Open as well as Melbourne last year, to be banned for between one and two years.
CAS gave no timetable for any verdict to be given, though the parties could request a fast-track decision before the French Open begins on May 25.
Sinner’s explanation for the two positive tests was they were due to a massage from a trainer who used the substance after cutting his own finger, and it was accepted by the ITIA.
Jannik Sinner will enter his Australian Open defence knowing a court hearing in Switzerland in April could condemn him to a potential two-year ban for doping
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, (CAS) sport’s highest tribunal, announced on Friday they will hear an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the sport’s decision not to ban Sinner
Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios has loudly suggested his belief that Sinner received preferential treatment
Sinner went on to win the US Open in September after details of his case were revealed, with the 23-year-old Italian then facing scepticism from other players, including Aussie Nick Kyrgios, who suggested he had received preferential treatment.
The continued controversy surrounding the case has pursued Sinner to Melbourne, with the Italian admitting on Friday the saga was still playing on his mind.
‘Yeah, you think about this, of course. I would lie if I would tell you I forget. No, it’s not like this,’ Sinner told reporters.
‘It’s something I have with me now already for quite a long time, but [you know] it is what it is.
‘I’m here trying to prepare for the grand slam.
‘Let’s see how it goes,’ added the 23-year-old, who faces Chile’s Nicolas Jarry in the first round.
Number one seed Sinner is rated a $2.30 chance with bookmakers to win his third career grand slam title.
The Australian Open begins on January 12.
