Sat Feb 15 13:23:40 UTC 2025: ## Top Tennis Star Sinner Accepts Three-Month Ban for Doping Violation
**Rome, Italy** – World number one tennis player Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban from competitive play following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The ban stems from two positive tests for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024.
Sinner, 23, admitted “partial responsibility” for the positive tests, attributing them to the use of a contaminated spray by his physiotherapist to treat a minor injury. While maintaining he had no intention to cheat and gained no competitive advantage, Sinner acknowledged the strict liability athletes have for their entourage’s actions.
The ban, effective February 9th to May 4th, will allow Sinner to participate in the French Open, which begins May 25th. He will also be eligible for the Rome Open, a key clay-court tournament leading up to Roland Garros.
WADA initially appealed an earlier decision by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that cleared Sinner. However, the settlement concludes this appeal, avoiding a potentially lengthy legal battle at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The agreement ensures Sinner avoids a potential two-year ban.
In a statement, Sinner expressed relief at resolving the matter, emphasizing his respect for WADA’s rules and his commitment to clean sport. The resolution brings an end to a year-long controversy that shadowed the young star’s rise to the top of the men’s tennis rankings.
First Piper 