“Justice will be served,” Netizens ecstatic about WADA’s appeal against Jannik Sinner’s doping result
Jannik Sinner has had a tough relationship with the tennis community ever since his doping scandal came to the surface.
Jannik Sinner (Image via X)
Jannik Sinner is under the microscope of the tennis authorities again due to his doping scandal. The World No. 1 tested positive twice for a banned substance (Clostebol) but initially escaped a ban from the authorities. As such, his playing career resumed, much to the dismay of some individuals and fans.
However, WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) has decided to file an appeal regarding the result of Sinner’s case. WADA confirmed this development on their official X account. If they are successful, Sinner might face an extended period of ineligibility from competing in the sport.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirms that on Thursday 26 September, it lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case of Italian tennis player, Jannik Sinner, who was found by an independent tribunal of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) to bear no fault or negligence having twice tested positive for clostebol, a prohibited substance, in March 2024.
WADA‘s official statement on their website
It seemed like the tennis world was eventually moving on from Sinner’s doping controversy, which surfaced almost a month ago. However, WADA is planning to take one step further this time.
It is WADA’s view that the finding of “no fault or negligence” was not correct under the applicable rules. WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance. As this matter is now pending before CAS, WADA will make no further comment at this time.
WADA added
In fact, WADA is seeking a ban of at least one to two years to set an example for the rest of the tennis fraternity. Ironically, this news development came during Sinner’s match against Roman Safiullin in the China Open. The matter has gone quite viral online.
Netizens delighted to hear about WADA’s developments regarding Jannik Sinner’s case
As soon as the news broke regarding WADA’s plans against Jannik Sinner, netizens supported this decision in full force. Fans believe the sport should be about fairness, regardless of the player’s status.
The many tweets on X hinted at justice being served. Some of them felt Sinner went scott-free after not receiving any suspension. Check out some of the reactions:
Justice will be served. ☝️
— NLA⚡️🎾 (@NelsonOnTennis) September 28, 2024
Well done WADA.
— Mark B 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@SternhammerWulf) September 28, 2024
WADA and Sinner have faced much criticism in the past month for allowing the Italian to get away with this controversy. In fact, WADA received more criticism compared to the World No. 1 because they had the authority to decide Sinner’s fate.
Sinner faced more criticism from current and former tennis players. Some notable names include Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, and Grigor Dimitrov. Kyrgios even went one step further by saying that he wouldn’t be as hospitable to the Davis Cup champion as the rest of the ATP players.
Sinner has made some decisions of his own after this doping controversy. He fired his fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, and physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi. The Italian replaced them with Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, who had previously enjoyed a working relationship with Djokovic between 2017 and 2024.
Fahad Hamid
(310 Articles Published)