World number one tennis player, Jannik Sinner, has accepted a three-month suspension after testing positive for the banned substance clostebol twice in March last year.
The ban, which runs from February 9 to May 4, allows him to compete at the French Open, set to start on May 25 at Roland Garros.
According to Sinner, the positive tests were due to his physiotherapist using a spray containing clostebol to treat a cut before providing massage and sports therapy. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed that Sinner did not intend to cheat and gained no competitive advantage from the substance.
“This case has been weighing on me for nearly a year, and the process could have dragged on until the end of this year,” Sinner said. “I accept responsibility for my team and understand WADA’s strict rules are necessary for protecting the sport I love. That’s why I agreed to a three-month sanction.”
WADA acknowledged that Sinner did not intentionally break the rules but emphasized that athletes are responsible for the actions of their support teams.
With the suspension ending just before the Rome Open, Sinner will have the chance to compete in front of his home fans at the tournament, which serves as the final major clay court event before the French Open.
