World No.1 Jannik Sinner accepted a three-month ban for doping violation with immediate effect after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over his two positive drug tests, last year.
The Italian defended his Australian Open title last month. His suspension began on February 9 and will run till May 4, making him eligible to participate at the French Open, starting May 19.
“This case had been hanging over me 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 released by his lawyers.
“I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise 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.”
He joins a list of several high-profile tennis players, including Martina Hingis and the most recent Iga Swiatek to be banned for doping violation.
Jannik Sinner Banned: List Of Tennis Players Banned For Doping Violations
Iga Swiatek (2024)
The World No.2 women’s singles player served a one-month suspension last year, after testing positive for trimetazidine.
Simona Halep (2022)
The two-time Grand Slam champion was provisionally suspended in 2022 after testing positive for roxadustat, a substance that stimulates red blood cell production. She was initally banned for four-year. After an appeal, in 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her suspension to nine months.
Maria Sharapova (2016)
The Russian star was banned for two years after testing positive for meldonium. After claiming that she had been using the drug for health medication and was unaware of its prohibition, the ban was reduced to 15 months on appeal.
Richard Gasquet (2009)
The Frenchman was suspended after testing positive for cocaine. He said that the substance was ingested accidentally during a kiss at a night club. The independent tribunal accepted, reducing his initial one-year ban to brief suspension.
Martina Hingis (2007)
The former World No.1 tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite. She was banned for two-years and subsequently retired from tennis.
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