“I am completely disheveled by this,” Brad Gilbert infuriated with WADA for appealing Jannik Sinner’s doping verdict

Jannik Sinner twice tested positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, in March this year. The first time was during the Indian Wells Masters and then again a few days after the event ended. The Italian was hit with a provisional suspension.

However, Sinner immediately appealed the verdict. He defended himself by saying that the banned substance entered his body when he was massaged by his former physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who was using an over-the-counter spray to treat a wound on his finger.

Sinner’s explanation along with the minute quantity (less than a billionth) of the drug found in his system led the the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) to clear him. This news, which was kept under wraps initially, was made public ahead of the US Open, which Sinner ended up winning.

Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced that it has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Sinner’s doping case. This news has garnered mixed reactions, with Andre Agassi and Coco Gauff‘s former coach Brad Gilbert furious with WADA’s move.

I am completely disheveled by this Wada decision, was 8000 times smaller then a gram of salt 🧂 this now will unfortunately take months to figure out, where is the players representation on this, other then Sin City 🌆 paying for his own lawyers

— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) September 28, 2024

Sinner, who is currently in action at the China Open, gave his thoughts on WADA’s CAS appeal. He said that he was disappointed and surprised that the agency decided to appeal his verdict.

RELATED

Is Jannik Sinner allowed to play until CAS takes a decision on his case?

Amidst renewed focus on his doping case, Jannik Sinner seals quarterfinal spot at China Open

Jannik Sinner has a lot on his plate currently, making it difficult for him to focus solely on his tennis. With WADA deciding to appeal his doping verdict and demanding a one or two year ban, he has not been at his prolific best on the court.

After coming from a set down to beat Nicolas Jarry in the Round of 32 at the China Open, he had to repeat the feat against Roman Safiullin to book his spot in the quarterfinals. The Italian won 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in two hours and 22 minutes to keep his record of reaching at least the quarterfinals at every tour-level event he has played in 2024 going strong.

After the win against Jarry, Sinner stated that he had known of WADA’s decision to appeal his doping case for a few days.

RELATED

Paul McNamee reacts to ‘unexpected’ WADA’s appeal against Jannik Sinner’s doping decision as the anti-doping agency seeks hefty ban for the Italian

Sinner will next face Jiri Lehecka in Beijing. The Czech player also came from behind in the Round of 16, beating Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.