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Punishment for World No. 1 Jannik Sinner Draws Strong Reaction

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew McCarty | Last updated Feb 15, 2025 10:34 AM ET

The No. 1 men's tennis player in the world, Jannik Sinner, accepted a three-month ban as part of a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency following his two positive doping tests nearly a year ago.

WADA reportedly attempted to ban the Australian Open champion for a full year, but International Tennis Integrity Agency not to suspend Sinner. The ITIA claimed the substance Sinner ingested that led to a banned test was accidentally contaminated by a banned anabolic steroid.

"This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year," Sinner said in a statement after the news. "I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize WADA's strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis I have accepted WADA's offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction."

Fans were conflicted about the punishment announcement, with some thinking the ban was too lenient while others wondered why the ban didn't include a major tournament.

"Not letting him miss a Grand Slam makes this such a light ban," said one person.

"This is absolutely ludicrous. It was found twice now that there was no wrongdoing done on Jannik’s part. They acknowledged there was no strategic advantage given to him at all as well. Nonetheless, they are suspending him for three months? This is genuinely makes no sense at all," suggested another.

"The weakest ban ever because he won’t miss a major. He earned a year suspension but the ITIA is spineless," offered a third.

Sinner won't miss a single major and will be eligible to return before the French Open starts May 25.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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