Sinner shaken as anti-doping deal hits WADA opposition

Jannik Sinner was shaken on Saturday as the world No. 1 revealed that his exoneration for inadvertently coming in contact with a banned substance is now under appeal by the world anti doping bosses.

The Italian advanced at the China Open but will now be playing under a cloud for months as the appeals by WADA grinds through the sport justice system.

Both of the matches of the two-time Grand Slam winner required comebacks from a set down, perhaps indicating the seriousness of the distraction.

WADA was apparently annoyed after Sinner was exonerated by the International Tennis Integrity Association’s decision which cleared Sinner after he tested positive last spring for the banned steroid clostebol.

The player has since sacked the physio team which allowed the substance used to heal cuts to come in contact with his body.

Sinner has already paid a price for the team errors, losing ranking points and semi-final prize money from the Indian Wells Masters last March.

“Obviously I’m very disappointed with this appeal, it’s surprised me a lot because we had three hearings during the whole process with the ITIA and all three were positive for me,” Sinner said on Saturday in Beijing..

“I didn’t expect it, to be honest. I was informed two days ago that they were going to file this appeal and they told me that the news would be made public today.

“I don’t know, maybe the World Anti-Doping Agency just wants to make sure that everything is correct, but it’s been a surprise for me.

“There are things that can’t be controlled.” 

The judicial bombshell broke during Sinner’s win over Roman Safiullin, with the 

World Anti-Doping Agency filing a motion with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne requesting a harsher punishment for the popular player.