Jannik Sinner‘s doping saga has officially come to an end. Three weeks ago, it was announced that an independent tribunal had ruled that Sinner “bore no fault or negligence” for two anti-dopping violations.
The world No. 1 twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March but successfully argued that the tests were the result of contamination from his then-physio.
The World Anti-Doping Agency had the right to appeal the decision Court of Arbitration for Sport. But they have reportedly not decided to go ahead and the window to appeal has now closed.
According to Corriere della Sera, as of Tuesday morning, CAS had confirmed that WADA did not lodge an appeal against the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s ruling in Sinner’s case.
The 21-day period to appeal has now come to an end. It means that the “no fault or negligence” finding is final and Sinner will not face a ban.
News of the Italian’s anti-doping violations and the final ruling broke at the end of August, days before the US Open started. Although the positive tests came in March, they were not made public until the hearing concluded and the ITIA announced the outcome.
Sinner and his team were notified of the test results after the Miami Open earlier this year. By default, he received provisional suspensions for the two violations.
But his team were said to have appealed within hours, successfully arguing that they were the result of contamination via his then-physio.
Three experts deemed the explanation plausible and the ITIA did not object to Sinner’s provisional suspensions promptly being lifted. It meant the 23-year-old was allowed to keep playing until his hearing, which took place on August 15 – in the middle of the Cincinnati Open.
He went on to lift the trophy in Cincinnati, having spent hours on a Zoom call for the independent tribunal. A day later, the final ruling was announced.
Sinner lost his ranking points and prize money earned during Indian Wells – the tournament where he tested positive – but was not banned. He then won his second Grand Slam title at the US Open.
Following the ruling, Sinner officially parted ways with two members of his team.Documents from the tribunal state that world No. 1’s fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara bought an over-the-counter spray Trofodermi in Italy in February.
His physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi then cut his finger on a scalpel during Indian Wells and used Ferrera’s Trofodermi spray each morning for just over a week.
He continued to massage Sinner without wearing gloves. The 23-year-old often has small cuts and sores on his back and feet – allowing for contamination.
Naldi and Ferrera hadn’t been seen in Sinner’s box for weeks leading up to the hearing. Ahead of the US Open, he confirmed they had officially left the camp.
