Jannik Sinner is just coming off the back of a phenomenal trophy-laden, despite the threat of ban looming over him.
Sinner’s success hasn’t surprised Novak Djokovic, who like many other players could only watch the Italian run riot.
Rising to world number one, Sinner clinched eight titles in 2024, but there was also a major negative after he tested positive for clostebol.
Sinner tested positive for the banned substance in March, although he was quickly cleared by an independent panel.
Presented the case by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the panel found there was no fault or negligence attached to Sinner.
Jannik Sinner predicted to be banned after the Australian Open
But the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged that ruling and launched an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Andrea Petkovic, Rennae Stubbs and Caitlin Thompson have now been discussing the issue in detail, and what could come next for the Italian.
“With Jannik he didn’t actually take anything, it was his physio, and now WADA is trying to discern whether Jannik is responsible for his team and the people he hires or whether they can rule now fault,” Petkovic said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
Stubbs commented: “I think you and I should know that you are responsible for your team and that’s probably why they have gone after him. I have a feeling that WADA are going to make an example. I think they will ban him after the Australian Open, just to make a point.”
And Thompson added: “The point they would be making is that you have to be even more conscientious about what you or any member of your team are doing, using on you or having around you.”
Is ATP Tour number one Jannik Sinner heading for a ban?
Sinner is a hard-court specialist, with both of his Grand Slam victories in 2024 coming on that surface, along with three Masters 1,000 titles.
The Italian began his year with an Australian Open win, and closed it out in style with the US Open success.
Making his feats more impressive is the fact he has had to deal with plenty of noise and attention surrounding his doping case.
Following the appeal from Wada, it does seem that a punishment is on the way, but it remains to be seen how severe it will be.
All Sinner can do is concentrate on his game and continue what he has been doing for the last 12 months.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
