Jannik Sinner’s Doping Appeal Set for CAS in April 2025

Jannik Sinner’s doping case will take place behind closed doors at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on April 16-17, 2025. The 23-year-old world number one received clearance from an independent tribunal after testing positive twice for clostebol, a banned steroid in March 2024. Sinner argued that his positive tests resulted from inadvertent contamination by his physiotherapist.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted his explanation and determined that he bore no fault or negligence. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the decision, arguing that the tribunal’s finding that Sinner bore no fault or negligence was incorrect according to the rules. WADA is seeking a ban of between one and two years for the Italian.

CAS confirmed that the hearing will proceed privately, as no party requested a public session. The case has garnered attention especially after Sinner’s breakout 2024 season where he won the US Open, the Australian Open and the ATP Finals, in addition to helping Italy win the Davis Cup. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Sinner will begin his defense of the Australian Open title on Monday with a first-round match against Chile’s Nicolas Jarry.

The doping case has sparked broader discussions about how tennis handles doping issues, particularly with other high-profile cases like Iga Swiatek’s also under scrutiny. Jannik Sinner acknowledged that the case has weighed on his mind for some time but emphasized his resolve, stating, “It is what it is.”