Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have been concerned in two high-profile doping controversies final 12 months, with the previous’s persevering with into 2025 too. The Italian examined twice optimistic for a banned steroid in March 2024 and the ITIA didn’t hand him any suspension. However then WADA appealed the choice to CAS, and the decision was set to be heard this April.
Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have been concerned in two high-profile doping controversies.(AFP/Reuters)
Then final month, to the shock of everybody, Sinner and WADA reached an settlement exterior of court docket, and now he’s serving solely a three-month suspension. Swiatek, alternatively, examined optimistic for TMZ and was given a one-month ban.
ITIA CEO on Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek doping controversies
Additionally each gamers had blamed the optimistic checks to unintentional contamination. Chatting with Ubitennis, ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse weighed in on the controversies, and defended her physique’s investigation of each gamers.
“It was mistakenly believed that we were announcing positive tests, when in fact we were announcing provisional suspensions. In both the case of Sinner – and in that of Swiatek – the rules were respected,” she mentioned.
“The players filed an appeal against the provisional suspension within the 10-day period provided for by our regulations and, since the appeal was successful, the provisional suspensions were not made public.
“Some sports, such as athletics, decide to immediately announce provisional suspensions. Others, especially team sports, never announce them. Tennis, for now, has given itself the ten-day rule; we’ll see, in the future this rule could also change,” she added.
Each gamers’ eventual brief bans has acquired a blended response from former and present gamers. Many gamers have lent their help, however some have identified the contrasting distinction in bans given to gamers with comparable doping incidents. Probably the most high-profile voice has been that of Novak Djokovic, who has criticised the investigation and lack of transparency.
Sinner’s case additionally noticed him fireplace physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi and health coach Umberto Ferrara. He’s set to return to motion on the Italian Open on Could seventh, three days after his ban ends.