“A million miles away from doping”: WADA defends Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension

A senior official from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) assured that Jannik Sinner's case is "a million miles away from doping." General Counsel Ross Wenzel spoke to BBC Sports about the three-month suspension accepted by World No. 1 Sinner, which has sparked criticism in the tennis world.

From Stan Wawrinka to Novak Djokovic, players have spoken out against the alleged "favoritism" towards high-profile players, such as Sinner, or the case of Iga Swiatek, who only received a one-month suspension.

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Intentionality would be key in determining suspensions. The ITIA investigation revealed that Sinner was unintentionally contaminated by an over-the-counter aerosol used by his physiotherapist to treat a cut on his own hand, and that by treating Sinner without gloves, a minuscule amount of Clostebol entered Sinner’s system.

The ITIA dismissed a suspension, only stripping Sinner of his Indian Wells points and prize money, as the traces of Clostebol were found at that tournament. "This was a case that was a million miles away from doping," WADA General Counsel Ross Wenzel said. "The scientific feedback we received indicated that this could not be a case of intentional doping, including micro-dosing."

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WADA had appealed the ITIA’s decision, requesting a suspension of one to two years, with a ruling due in April. However, an agreement was reached with the three-time Grand Slam champion for just a three-month suspension. Wenzel insisted that Sinner has not been given special treatment:

"WADA has received messages from those who believe the sanction was too high and, in some respects, if you have some saying this is unfair on the athlete, and others saying it's not enough, maybe it's an indication that, although it won't be popular with everyone, it was in the right place."

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"When we look at these cases, we try to examine them technically, operationally, and without fear of what the public, politicians, or anyone else may say."

Sinner's suspension began on February 9 and will last until May 4, meaning he could return for the Rome Open and potentially play the French Open later that month.

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