World No. 1 Jannik Sinner Accepts 3-Month Suspension After Doping Test Settlement

Jannik Sinner, the top-ranked men's player in the world, has accepted a three-month suspension as part of a settlement from his March 2024 doping violation.

In a statement released on Saturday (h/t ESPN.com), Sinner explained he accepted the suspension to end a case that had "been hanging over me" for nearly one full year:

"This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year. I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize WADA's strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis I have accepted WADA's offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction."

It was revealed in August that Sinner tested positive for low levels of the anabolic steroid Clostebol in two separate drug tests conducted in March.

No suspension was issued at the time because the International Tennis Integrity Agency determined the drug entered Sinner's system unintentionally.

The explanation was Sinner's fitness trainer had purchased an over-the-counter product that was given to Sinner's physiotherapist, who used it to treat a cut on his finger. The physiotherapist then treated Sinner without gloves and "coupled with various skin lesions on Jannik's body caused the inadvertent contamination."

Despite the ITIA's ruling, the World Anti Doping Agency filed an appeal in September on the grounds that the finding of "no fault or negligence" was not applied correctly under the rules.

WADA said in the appeal it was seeking a period of ineligibility of one to two years for Sinner, but it would not seek to vacate any results.

In the wake of Sinner accepting a three-month ban, WADA has formally withdrawn its appeal.

Sinner's suspension began on Feb. 9 and will run through May 4. The first tournament he will be eligible to play is the Italian Open starting on May 7. He will also be back in time for the French Open, which begins on May 25.

The only tournament Sinner has played in so far this season was the Australian Open. He marched through the field, dropping just two sets in seven matches en route to winning his second straight title at the event.