Jannik Sinner could face 2-3 year doping ban, predicts ex-CAS

Photo: AP

In 2024, the tennis world was rocked by two major doping controversies. First, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner US Open title run was overshadowed by a doping scandal. It was revealed that he tested positive twice for an anabolic agent in March, but an independent tribunal accepted his defense of unintentional contamination. The latest case involved Iga Świątek, who served a one-month doping ban after testing positive for a prohibited substance in an out-of-competition sample in August. The ITIA accepted her claim that the positive result was due to contamination from a regulated non-prescription medicine, melatonin, manufactured in Poland.

However, in Sinner's case, WADA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which will deliver a final verdict on him next year. Offering insights into Sinner’s case, lawyer Angelo Cascella, a former CAS member, predicted a ban of "one to two years." Cascella explained to Italian site Sportmediaset, “Since the analyses have shown traces of doping, the athlete faces a potential sentence of one to two years. In such cases, there can be intent, fault, or negligence. If it’s intent, the sentence can go up to four years, but if it’s negligence, as in Sinner’s case, it typically ranges from one to two years.”

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Cascella also pointed out that the athlete and their team bear responsibility, even in cases of unintentional contamination. A new rule set to take effect in 2027 could potentially cancel cases like Sinner’s, but it won’t affect his verdict, which will be decided next year. "The new rule will come into force in 2027, so it won’t impact this case," Cascella noted. "The case will be judged under the current regulations, and there’s a risk of a conviction, but a settlement may still be reached before the hearing, which is unlikely to occur before spring 2025."

The independent tribunal's decision regarding Sinner was met with mixed reactions from current players. While many supported the Italian, others felt it was unjust, given that previous athletes had faced harsher penalties for similar incidents.

Dec. 19, 2024 5:22 p.m. 488

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