WADA to appeal ITIA decision on Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner (YouTube)

The World Anti-Doping Agency is reportedly not pleased with the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s decision not to suspend 2024 Australian Open champion and 2024 United States Open champion Jannik Sinner of Italy. In a report from Andrew Dampf of the Associated Press on Saturday, Sinner was reportedly disappointed that WADA was requesting a suspension for up to two years for the world number one.

Sinner tested positive twice for taking steroids in March. The first time was during the Indian Wells Masters 1000 series event. He was not suspended by the ITIA, but ended up losing 400 points in the official world tennis rankings, and was expected to return the $325,000 he won by reaching the semifinals. Sinner successfully argued to the ITIA that he accidentally received the steroid by his physiotherapist from a spray during a massage to treat a wound. Since the treatment, Sinner has fired his physiotherapist.

At this time, Sinner is still allowed to compete on the ATP Tour while the appeal is being determined in the courts. Sinner has currently reached the semifinals of the 2024 China Open in Beijing. He is facing China’s own Yunchaokete Bu. The other semifinal has Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Daniil Medevev of Russia.

Bu has been a gigantic story this past week in China. The 96th ranked player in the world, who received a wildcard, upset the Wimbledon semifinalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, the sixth seed, 6-2, 6-4 in the second round, and then fourth seed Andrey Rublev of Russia, 7-5, 6-4 in the quarterfinals. This will be their first ever meeting head-to-head.

There is also an ATP event going on in Tokyo this week. There is an all-French final there, as unseeded players Arthur Fils and Ugo Humbert will battle for the title on Tuesday.

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