“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. 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 three-month sanction,” World No.1 Jannik Sinner made a shocking revelation on Saturday. But as tennis journalist Jon Wertheim suggests, there’s more to this story than meets the eye.

So this is how the story goes. Last year, Sinner was found positive for banned substance Clostebol on two occasions. But there was no evidence found in the investigation by the ITIA’s independent panel. In August 2024, the agency gave its verdict that he didn’t take the substance on purpose. And that there was “no fault or negligence” on his part. But one month later, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) went against this judgment and appealed to the Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS) for a proper hearing. It was supposed to happen in April, but the real twist in the story came a month early.

On February 15, WADA eventually made a settlement with the three-time Slam winner. In a statement, the agency confirmed, “it has entered into a case resolution agreement in the case of Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, with the player accepting a three-month period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation that led to him testing positive for clostebol, a prohibited substance, in March 2024. ” It also admitted that he “did not intend to cheat” but stated that “an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence.” While the Italian tennis player is relieved, some tennis experts aren’t entirely satisfied with the result. Why?

Take for example, reputed insider and journalist Jon Wertheim. In a February 15th interaction with former American legend Andy Roddick, Wertheim expressed a sense of distaste over WADA’s decision on giving just a three-month penalty. It’s because prior to the verdict, rumors suggested that Sinner might get 1-2 year of ban. The insider suggested that “There are a lot of players I’ve mentioned, Nick (Nicolas) Jarry who (had) essentially very similar fact pattern. He did not have the benefit of a plea bargain 90 days.”

Back in late 2019, Chile’s Jarry was found positive for two anabolic agents, Ligandrol and Stanozolol. In that case, too, the authorities cleared him of any wrongdoing. But guess what? Jarry was handed a huge, 11-month ban by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). It lasted till November 15, 2020. When Jarry was suspended, he was ranked 89th.

Continuing further on Sinner’s case, Jon added, “I think you know there are going to be 10% of the people who are going to say this guy is an irredeemable Doper and 10% of the people are going to say this is a complete railroad. And I think most people in the middle are going to say, yeah that 90 days you can’t have nothing a year sounds too harsh given the facts and yet timing, timing, timing.”

“I think whether it’s good lawyering or whether this is, you know, WADA maybe realizing that they didn’t have the case they thought they did initially. The timing is really dubious here,” added Wertheim.

He implied that the timing chosen for this punishment doesn’t make sense. Rather it sounds too convenient for Sinner. Because this way, he won’t really lose anything this season, especially his opportunity to appear in a Slam!

Jannik Sinner’s 3-month suspension won’t be an obstacle for his major quest in 2025

The 2025 Australian Open champion will remain prohibited from competing in any ATP tour event between February 9 and May 4. During this phase, he won’t be seen at the Qatar Open, BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, and Madrid Open. But there’s nothing to worry about since he will have a lot to look forward to!

After returning, he will be eligible to play in the home event, at the Italian Open from 7th May. And then later that month, he can enter the second Grand Slam of this season at the Roland Garros. However, Sinner’s three-month absence means he’ll forfeit 1600 ranking points.

This includes the loss of points from his Indian Wells Masters performance, plus 1000 from his Miami Open victory last year, 400 from his Monte Carlo semifinal, and 200 from his Madrid quarterfinal appearance. But again, it’s hardly going to matter. Why so? His overall points will still be enough to keep his No.1 position strengthened.

He will be free to return to official practice sessions from April 13. What are your thoughts on Sinner getting a 90-day ban? Let us know in the comments below.