“A majority of the players don’t feel that it’s fair. A majority of the players feel like there is favoritism happening. It appears that you can almost affect the outcome if you are a top player, if you have access to the top lawyers and whatnot,” 24-time Major winner Novak Djokovic echoed a sentiment, last month, after Jannik Sinner accepted a three-month ban. While the ITIA initially cleared him, stating ‘No Fault or Negligence,’ the case remained contentious. Even after WADA withdrew its appeal following Sinner’s 90-day suspension last month, the story wasn’t over. ITIA General Director Karen Moorhouse has now provided additional insight into the agency’s ruling.

Nick Kyrgios, who’s been a harsh critic of Sinner ever since the doping controversy erupted, expressed his dissatisfaction. On X, he wrote, “Obviously sinners team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a 3 month ban, no titles lost, no prize money lost. Guilty or not? Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist.” Later, Djokovic also observed that, “Sinner has got a suspension for three months because of mistakes and negligence of his team members, who are working on the tour. This is also something that I personally and many other players find strange,” reported The Guardian on February 17. Guess what? According to Moorhouse, all those criticizing Sinner have understood this case incorrectly.

“It was mistakenly believed that we were announcing positive tests, when in reality we were announcing provisional suspensions,” Moorhouse clarified in an interview with the AFP agency.

She was referring to the time of August when it was widely reported that Sinner tested positive for Clostebol. Considering the ITIA Director’s statement, it appears that he didn’t. But what about the rules of investigation? Were they modified for Sinner? Especially on the part of prosecuting his former physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi. Even WADA stated, in statement last month, that Sinner received a 3-month suspension because “an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence.”

Previously, Sinner’s team tried to explain that he didn’t take the banned substance on purpose. According to him, the anabolic agent entered his system through a massage from Naldi. Apparently, the physio applied an over-the-counter spray to treat a cut on his own finger. The spray – turned out to be Clostebol – was given to him by Sinner’s fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara. The ITIA accepted this explanation, eventually.

“Our rules are based on the World Anti-Doping Code, which lists several violations that can be committed by a player’s entourage: doctor, coach, agent… But most of the violations in question imply an intention to dope. In the Sinner case, according to the legal advice we received, there was no justification for prosecuting any member of his entourage,” explained Moore as reported by Ubitennis on March 12.

In short, “the prerequisite, namely the intent to take doping, was missing.” Hence, there was no “violation of the rules of the tennis anti-doping program, which refers to the World Anti-Doping Code”.

With this much-needed clarification, Sinner will surely feel relieved as he continues to serve his 90-day ban. However, it seems the Italian is facing no major obstacles being away from professional tennis. Why?

Before an official comeback, Jannik Sinner continues to enjoy his 3-month suspension period

The current ban over Jannik Sinner is effective from February 9 to May 4, 2025. Apart from the ongoing Indian Wells, in the Californian desert, the World No.1 will miss out on a few more ATP events. These include the Miami Open, Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, and Madrid Open. While he’s away, Sinner has been allowed to train. Which means he won’t be away from action. But there’s a slight catch.

Last month, it was revealed that Sinner can train, only with his personal team “as long as he does not do so in a place connected to a national association, the ATP, the ITF, the WTA, the Grand Slams or an event covered by our regulations.” But it also means that he can keep playing even before his official training begins on April 13. On the other hand, his athletic trainer Marco Panichi believes the suspension phase will act like a “major boost”. How?

“Having so much time allows us to deeply address characteristics and conditions we want to improve. Knowing we can dedicate significant time to certain aspects is a major boost,” reported TennisTonic on February 26. And guess what?

The World No.1 need not worry about losing his top spot either. Yes, he will lose 1,600 ranking points before his return, but it won’t cost him much. Upon comeback, he will still have enough points to maintain the first position. And now comes the icing on the cake!

Sinner won’t even lose an opportunity to compete at this season’s next Grand Slam – the French Open. Once the ban gets over, he will be eligible to participate at a home event in Rome. And later in May, he will be free to enter the Roland Garros. In short, he can continue his Slam quest in 2o25 after winning the Australian Open back in January. Can a ban get sweeter than this?