- Jannik Sinner could be suspended for two years
- WADA appealed the decision not to sanction the Italian
- It was authorized by the International Tennis Integrity Agency
- It follows two positive doping tests last March
On the eve of the Australian Open, Jannik Sinner was given a date for the doping appeal case that could define the next phase of his career.
On April 16 and 17 in Lausanne, the Court of Arbitration for Sport will meet to rule on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) argument that the world number one should be suspended for up to two years for failing two tests. anti-doping tests carried out in March of last year. year.
Tennis's anti-doping body, the Tennis Integrity Agency, accepted Sinner's explanation that the banned substance clostebol entered his system through a cream applied to a cut on his physiotherapist's hand.
They considered that he did not assume “any fault or negligence” and did not issue any suspension. WADA appealed, seeking a ban because it believes the sentence should have been: “without significant fault or negligence.”
A fine semantic line, but a potential world of difference for Sinner. With the spring court date, if things go against him, this Australian Open could become his last Grand Slam for some time.
Just hours before the date was issued, Sinner said he knew nothing about the entire process.
Jannik Sinner will begin his defense at the Australian Open knowing that a court hearing in Switzerland in April could sentence him to a possible two-year ban for doping.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), sport's highest court, announced on Friday that it will hear an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the sport's decision not to ban Sinner.
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has loudly suggested his belief that Sinner received preferential treatment.
“I know exactly as much as you do,” the defending champion said in Melbourne. 'We are at a stage where we don't know many, many things.
'I'm thinking about it, of course. I'd be lying if I told you I forgot. It's something I've had with me for quite some time.
But it is what it is. “I'm here trying to prepare for a Grand Slam.”
Sinner has faced a lot of criticism from his fellow professionals, some of whom believe he received preferential treatment as the world number one.
Nick Kyrgios has been his main antagonist but, as the Australian returns to the dressing room this fortnight after more than two years out through injury, Sinner refused to be drawn into a war of words.
“I haven't done anything wrong,” he said. 'That's why I'm still here. That's why I keep playing.
“I don't want to answer what Nick said or what other players say.”
Sinner, the No. 1 seed, has a $2.30 chance with the bookies to win his third career Grand Slam title.
The Australian Open starts on January 12.