The shocking news that took the tennis world by storm in August has finally come to a conclusion. World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month suspension following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The ban, effective from February 9 to May 4, 2025, stems from two positive tests for the prohibited anabolic agent Clostebol in March 2024. This suspension allows Sinner to return to competition ahead of the French Open, which begins on May 25. But what does the Italian tennis star have to say about the decision?

Addressing the suspension, the World No.1 expressed relief that the matter had finally been resolved. In a statement released by his lawyers, he said, “This case had been hanging over me now 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.”

The Australian Open champion continued, “I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize 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 3-month sanction.”

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) had initially ruled that Sinner bore “No Fault or Negligence” for the violations, attributing the positive tests to a contaminated spray used by a member of his support team to treat a hand injury. Despite the ITIA’s ruling, WADA appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration (CAS).

Now, In their official statement, WADA clarified, “Jannik Sinner did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage.” However, he was still handed a ban as “an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence.”

Last year, the tennis community saw some high-profile doping cases. On the WTA side, Iga Swaitek, tested positive for (TMZ), a prohibited substance she ingested from a contaminated sleeping pill. Her case played out differently as WADA decided not to appeal her case and she was served a 1 month ban instead. This made her miss the Korean Open, China Open, and Wuhan Open. Her rankings dropped from the World No.1 position to World No.2.

Shockingly, the ban will not affect Sinner’s rankings. Unlike Swiatek, the Italian tennis player will remain World No. 1 when he returns. How so?

Jannik Sinner retains World No.1 ranking despite doping ban

Jannik Sinner’s suspension means he will be sidelined for several key tournaments, including Indian Wells and Miami (Sunshine Double), Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open.

However, he will only lose 1,600 points from the missed events. 1,000 points from his Miami Open title last March; 400 points from reaching the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals last April; and 200 points from reaching the Madrid Open quarterfinals. Given that he currently leads No. 2 Alexander Zverev by 3,695 points, his position at the top remains secure.

The 23-year-old tennis star will also be allowed to resume training on April 13, more than three weeks before his expected return at the Italian Open. This timing gives him crucial preparation before heading into Roland Garros.

Italian Tennis and Padel Federation president Angelo Binaghi called the situation “a shameful injustice,” but also stated that the ban will mark “the end of a nightmare” for Sinner. Binaghi further stated that the settlement “demonstrates Jannik’s innocence” and that “all of Italy” eagerly anticipates his return at the Italian Open.

With this unexpected break in his season, the question now is: Will Sinner bounce back stronger when he returns?