Tennis News: Jannik Sinner learns the days he will find out his fate

Last March at Indian Wells, Jannik Sinner failed two drug tests for the banned substance clostebol. After a relatively quick review by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, Sinner was found innocent of doing nothing intentionally wrong, and he was not disciplined. His ordeal did not end there, though.

Later in the year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) saying that the Italian should face the same kind of discipline handed out to other players. The WADA feels that Sinner should be suspended for a year or two. If they get their way, the ATP No. 1 could miss the last three Grand Slam events of the year, and would eventually lose his top ranking as well.

That is because CAS has set the dates for the appeal to be heard on April 16 and 17. CAS does not normally wait after a hearing an extraordinarily long time to determine a verdict on suspension, so Sinner should know his fate within a month of April 17.

Dates of the World Anti-Doping Agency appeal of Jannik Sinner being found innocent are now known

If it is found that Sinner should be suspended, and the ruling is handed down by mid-May, then there is a good chance the Italian would miss the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Sinner is assured of playing at the Australian Open, but after learning when his hearing is, one might wonder how much that will weigh on him.

Possibly, not at all. Sinner knew of his failed drug tests by late summer and that the ITIA had ruled him innocent, but there was still a backlash from fellow players such as Nick Kyrgios. Those thinking the Italian should have been suspended, just as players like Simona Halep were, have certainly not been quiet. Questions have followed Sinner since the world found out about the failed tests.

The Italian handled that supremely, however. He won the Cincinnati Open, US Open, Shanghai Masters, and ATP Finals to finish the year. He also helped Italy win the Davis Cup for the second straight year. In other words, he was unfazed by any criticism spewed his way.

Still, Sinner being suspended for any stretch of time is a bad look for tennis. The ITIA didn't suspend him, but then later the CAS did? That would look like a cover-up to protect the gifted young talent. Of course, the Italian was not being suspended at all, while WTA No. 2 Iga Swiatek was found innocent of a failed drug test in 2024 and had to miss a month. That does not seem fair either.

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