Jannik Sinner hoped his drug test nightmare was behind him after he was cleared by tennis chiefs and allowed to continue his career.
World No 1 Sinner is facing the renewed threat of a ban after the World Anti-Doping Agency launched an appeal against a ruling of “no fault or negligence” for two positive tests he returned in March.
Sinner, who won the US Open earlier this month, twice tested positive for an anabolic steroid in March but on August 20 an independent tribunal determined he was not to blame and imposed no punishment
The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the banned substance entered his body as a result of a massage from his physio, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on their finger.
But WADA has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to impose a ban of up to two years on the 23-year-old Italian.
A statement from the agency said: “It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules.
“WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance.”
The handling of the case from the International Tennis Integrity Agency has been the subject of heated debate since news of Sinner’s failed tests was confirmed, with plenty of current and former players suggesting the Australian and US Open champion was given preferential treatment due to his status in the men’s game.
The ITIA has faced plenty of questions over how they dealt with the ITIA have now issued a fresh statement offering their reflection on the Sinner case and the WADA appeal.
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