Fans are questioning whether Jannik Sinner has already violated his ban after agreeing a three-month suspension with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency previously ruled that the Italian “bore no fault or negligence” for two failed doping tests last year. But WADA intended to appeal the decision based on Sinner’s degree of responsibility.
On Saturday, WADA confirmed Sinner had accepted a three-month period of ineligibility as part of a case resolution agreement, lasting from February 9 to May 4.
As part of his ban, Sinner will only be able to “return to official training activity” from April 13.
Sinner was set to compete at this week’s Qatar Open, an ATP 500 event where he would have been the top seed. Following the news of his suspension on Saturday, he withdrew from the tournament.
But the world No. 1 had already arrived in Doha and started training for the tournament. On February 13, footage emerged on social media showing Sinner on a practice court.
Two days later, WADA announced the news of the Italian’s suspension, and fans have now questioned whether he violated the ban by hitting at an official facility.
“If he was banned on Feb 9, how is he training on Feb 13?” one user tweeted.
Another wrote: “I thought he was banned from pro tournaments from 9th Feb?”
Sinner’s ban has already caused controversy, with some players questioning why he was able to enter a case resolution agreement with WADA.
The Italian twice tested positive for the prohibited substance clostebol last year. He successfully appealed his provisional suspensions and argued that the substance unknowingly entered his body via his then-physio.
Following an independent tribunal hearing, the ITIA confirmed Sinner “bore no fault or negligence” and would not serve ban. He was docked prize money and ranking points from Indian Wells, the tournament he was competing in when he provided the two positive test samples.
But WADA appealed on the basis that Sinner had some responsibility for “the entourage’s negligence”. An appeal was set to be heard at Court of Arbitration for Sport in April.
However, WADA said they were prepared to enter a case resolution agreement “in order to ensure a fair and appropriate outcome”. The body accepted that Sinner did not intend to cheat, that his exposure to the banned substance had no performance-enhancing benefit and happened as a result of negligence of members of his entourage.
WADA added: “Based on the unique set of facts of this case, a three-month suspension is deemed to be an appropriate outcome.”
But some are sceptical of the agreement and the timing of Sinner’s ban, which means he can return in time for the Masters 1000 in Rome and the next Grand Slam event, the French Open.
Tim Henman said it seemed a “bit too convenient” and wouldn’t “sit well with the player cohort and the fans of the sport.” Three-time Major winner Stan Wawrinka tweeted: “I don’t believe in a clean sport anymore …”
Retired top-10 player Feliciano Lopez disagreed. He replied: “I do Stan. It’s very clear he hasn’t done anything to enhance his performance, that’s proven.He’s taking full responsibility for others mistake and 3 months suspension consequently. Longer suspension would’ve made sport cleaner?I don’t think so.”
