Jannik Sinner allowed to train at ‘this’ facility during his suspension despite ban amid doping row: Reports

The International Tennis Integrity Agency has clarified that Jannik Sinner can train with his own staff at private venues during his suspension.

Jannik Sinner allowed to train at ‘this’ facility during his suspension despite ban amid doping row: Reports

Jannik SInner (via Instagram)

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is currently serving a three-month suspension from tennis after testing positive twice for the banned substance clostebol last year. Despite this setback, Sinner is determined to continue his training, which he will do in the Monte Carlo Country Club over the coming weeks. This tennis club, which is a private venue, allows Sinner to train without violating the terms of his suspension.

Despite the club’s name, it is not located in Monte Carlo or even in Monaco, but it is located just 150 meters outside Monaco’s northeastern border in the commune of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France. It is the home of the Monte Carlo Masters, an ATP Masters 1000 tournament that is played on clay court.

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The Monte Carlo Country Club remains private throughout the year, except during the Monte Carlo Masters tournament. This arrangement provides Jannik Sinner with the perfect environment to continue his training and prepare for his return to competitive tennis.

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The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has clarified that Sinner can train with his own staff at private venues, as long as these venues are not connected to any national association, the ATP, the ITF, the WTA, the Grand Slams, or any event covered by their regulations.

Due to his suspension, Sinner will not be able to train at authorised tennis facilities or compete in sanctioned events until April 13. He may, however, train at exclusive locations such as the Monte Carlo Country Club, which is not affiliated with the French Tennis Federation. As a result, Sinner may keep working with Ulises Badio, his physiotherapist, and Marco Panichi, his personal trainer, to stay in top shape.

Jannik Sinner is suspended from February 9 to May 4

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in August last year exonerated Jannik Sinner on his doping case, determining that he bore “no fault or negligence”. An independent tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance had entered his body when receiving a massage from his former physiotherapist, who had used a spray containing the anabolic steroid to treat a cut on his finger.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Via X)

In September, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) challenging this decision. It sought to impose a ban of between one and two years on the Italian.

The WADA appeal was initially scheduled for a hearing in April 16-17. However, the body in the second week of February revealed that it had settled an agreement with Sinner’s representatives for a suspension from February 9 to May 4. WADA accepted Sinner’s explanation, and bearing responsibility for the negligence of his entourage, it deemed a three-month suspension period as appropriate.

During his suspension, Sinner will miss Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlos, and Madrid. The next tournament that he will be eligible to play in would be the Italian Open, a clay court tournament that takes place in Rome starting from May 7.