Jannik Sinner has remained steadfast in his belief that he did nothing wrong following the doping allegations against him in 2024. Despite the controversy surrounding his positive tests for clostebol, an anabolic steroid, the Italian tennis star is confident and “very comfortable in himself,” according to his lawyer, Jamie Singer. However, it took some convincing for Sinner to accept the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) offer of a swift resolution and a three-month ban.
Singer shared more details about the discussions with WADA that led to the settlement, which came ahead of a tribunal hearing. Sinner, who had initially tested positive for clostebol in March of 2024, was temporarily suspended but continued to compete after his legal team successfully argued his case. They claimed that the substance entered his system unknowingly when Sinner’s physiotherapist used a product containing clostebol during a massage.
In August, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing, accepting his explanation. However, WADA disagreed with this ruling, arguing that while Sinner was “not at fault” and had no “negligence,” he should still face some form of suspension. They pushed for a ban ranging from one to two years, prompting the case to be scheduled for a hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in April 2025.
In a twist, Sinner’s legal team reached a settlement with WADA on February 14, with the terms being publicly announced the following day. A statement from WADA revealed that Sinner had accepted a three-month period of ineligibility following his positive test for clostebol, allowing him to return to action on May 4—just in time for the Italian Open and the French Open later that month.
Although many considered the three-month ban a favorable outcome for Sinner, the 23-year-old wasn’t immediately inclined to accept it. Singer explained that it took some time to convince the world No. 1, who questioned why he should accept a ban when an independent tribunal had initially ruled there was no ban. “When I suggested settling for three months, Jannik was hesitant,” Singer said. “He was asking, ‘Why would we accept this now, when the tribunal found no fault?'”
Singer further explained that the uncertainty of what could happen in the hearing led him to advise Sinner to take the deal. “You never know how a tribunal will rule,” he said. “WADA was pushing for a year, and if we didn’t accept the offer, they could push for a harsher penalty in court.” In his view, accepting the three-month ban was a wise decision given the circumstances.
The timing of the ban worked in Sinner’s favor, as it avoids missing any Grand Slams. He’ll be eligible to return just before the Italian Open, which serves as a crucial warm-up for the French Open. Singer clarified that the timing was a coincidence, as they had no control over when the ban would take effect. “We didn’t choose when this would happen,” he said. “The fact that there were no Grand Slams during these three months made the offer from WADA more appealing.”
Despite the favorable resolution for Sinner, some players, including Nick Kyrgios, Stan Wawrinka, and Marion Bartoli, have publicly criticized the deal. However, Singer emphasized that Sinner remains unfazed by the public backlash. “Jannik is incredibly resilient,” Singer said. “He knows he did nothing wrong, and he’s confident in the way everything has been handled. He stays away from social media, where many people, who might not fully understand the case, have strong opinions.”
While some may have been surprised by WADA’s decision to settle, the agency has confirmed that this case was far from unique. WADA’s general counsel, Ross Wenzel, pointed out that they have reached 67 similar settlements since 2021. He further clarified that Sinner’s case was not one of intentional doping, emphasizing that scientific evidence showed no sign of deliberate wrongdoing, including the possibility of micro-dosing.
Wenzel also expressed doubts about whether a longer suspension or a “no fault” ruling would have been a fair resolution. “A 12-month sanction could have undermined a critical principle in the code,” Wenzel explained. “On the other hand, a ‘no fault’ outcome would have been excessively harsh.”
In the end, Sinner can now put the controversy behind him, confident in the knowledge that the case has been resolved fairly and according to the rules. With his health intact and his career trajectory as strong as ever, the Italian looks set to return to the court with renewed focus and determination.