WADA official reveals new details about Jannik Sinner’s investigation which hasn’t been officially declared before
Jannik Sinner has been handed a three-month ban for the negligence of his team after settlement agreement with the WADA.
Follow Us
Jannik Sinner (Image via X)
The General Counsel of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Ross Wenzel, revealed new details of the investigation the anti-doping body conducted before issuing the three-month ban verdict on Jannik Sinner. Sinner tested positive for clostebol twice in March last year.
He wasn’t handed a suspension by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) but WADA challenged their decision and eventually withdrew their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Wenzel, who previously stated that Sinner’s case was a million miles away from doping, reiterated the same during his interview with Sky Sports.
I can add one thing, which has not yet been officially declared by WADA but which I think is important to say for the first time. All the samples of the tests taken by Sinner in the 12 months preceding the two positives of March last year were checked. The aim was to look for any similar clue, any possible trace of the incriminated substance in all the samples.
Ross Wenzel stated
Wenzel said the investigation was conducted from a scientific point of view and WADA consulted several experts before reaching a conclusion that Sinner never tried for deliberate doping. The Italian, whose ban will lift on May 4, was contaminated during a physiotherapy session because a member of the team used a spray that contained clostebol.
Ross Wenzel reveals why Jannik Sinner’s three-month ban is fair punishment
Jannik Sinner receiving only a three-month ban drew the ire of the tennis community and those who supported him from the very beginning started to question WADA. WADA were determined to impose a ban on the 23-year-old for between one and two years but ended up resolving the case. Ross Wenzel explained the reason why WADA reached this conclusion.
The three-month suspension is a fair and just sanction in this case. The possibility of reaching an agreement at any stage of the proceedings is something that is clearly established in the rules. WADA has done so in 67 other cases since the article providing for plea bargains came into force four years ago with the 2021 code.
Ross Wenzel said
WADA was also criticized for the timing of Sinner’s ban. Sinner, this season, won the Australian Open and won’t be dealing with the fear of missing out on any more Grand Slam tournaments as his ban will end three weeks before the French Open.
The Australian Open was the only tournament the World No.1 played this season as he chose not to defend the Rotterdam Open. Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev to take home his third Grand Slam title.
Stay Updated!
Gouri Das
(4898 Articles Published)