February 15, (THEWILL) – World number one tennis player Jannik Sinner has received a three-month suspension from professional tennis following a positive test for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), confirmed on Saturday. The ban will run until May 4, though Sinner will be permitted to resume training from April 13.
The Italian athlete, who tested positive at Indian Wells in March 2024 and in an out-of-competition test eight days later, was initially cleared of wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). However, WADA appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), leading to the current resolution agreement.
WADA’s statement acknowledged that Sinner “did not intend to cheat” and gained no performance advantage from the substance. The contamination occurred when his physiotherapist used a healing spray containing clostebol and subsequently conducted massage treatments. Sinner has accepted responsibility for his team’s actions, stating: “I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise WADA’s strict rules are important protection for the sport I love.”
The timing of the suspension means Sinner will miss significant tournaments including Indian Wells and Miami, but will return in time for the Italian Open and French Open in May. The 23-year-old had continued competing during the appeals process, winning the 2025 Australian Open against Alexander Zverev in January.
The resolution brings closure to a case that began almost one year ago. Sinner’s legal representative, Jamie Singer of Onside Law, stated: “WADA has confirmed the facts determined by the independent tribunal. It is clear that Jannik had no intent, no knowledge, and gained no competitive advantage.” The tennis star had already parted ways with the involved team members before his victory at the 2024 U.S. Open.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
