Tennis Australia responds to bombshell call for Jannik Sinner to be stripped

There have been calls for Jannik Sinner to be stripped of his Australian Open title over one detail in his doping ban settlement.

There have been calls for Jannik Sinner to be stripped of his Australian Open title over a key detail in the doping ban settlement agreement announced on Saturday.

The Italian accepted “partial responsibility” for twice testing positive for banned substance Clostebol in March, 2024.

There has been widespread outrage, led by Australian Nick Kyrgios, at the way the messy scandal has concluded with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) cutting a deal with Sinner’s legal representatives for the world No. 1 to serve a three-month suspension.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sinner is allowed to return to competition from May 4 — conveniently just days before the Rome Masters, his country’s biggest tournament.

He will also be free to enter the next grand slam, Roland Garros, beginning May 25.

Sinner’s doping case was headed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a hearing beginning April 16 after WADA appealed the determination made by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that Sinner showed “no fault or negligence” when he returned a positive test for the banned synthetic steroid at Indian Wells in 2024.

The 23-year-old’s argument — that he was not aware physical therapist Giacomo Naldi had applied the substance to his skin — was accepted by the ITIA.

The three-time grand slam champ accepted that the banned drug was rubbed on his skin when Naldi had first applied a cream to treat a cut on his own hand before he then rubbed his hands onto Sinner via a back massage and foot treatment.

Critically — in the eyes of many — WADA’s appeal in September did not change anything for Sinner.

There have been vocal calls this week suggesting Sinner should have been stood down preliminarily in September until the outcome of the case was settled this week.

That theoretical suspension would have seen Sinner rubbed out from the 2025 Australian Open — where he defended his Melbourne Park title in stunning fashion.

Leading Australian sport commentator Gerrard Whateley said on SEN Sinner’s triumph was a breach of faith with Australian sporting fans.

“There was a waft over the tournament. A stench,” he said on Monday.

“And now that we know it confirmed what we suspected. It stank. Jannik Sinner shouldn’t have been playing at Melbourne Park.

“That title is a breach of faith with the Australian sporting public and it’s a black mark against anti-doping which has an increasingly shaky record when it comes to major sport.”

Veteran Australian sports journalist Jamie Pandaram on Sunday said Sinner’s 2025 title will forever have an asterisk next to it.

Italy's Jannik Sinner (R) and runners up Germany's Alexander Zverev. Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP.

“I just don’t think that if you have any doubts about somebody and they’ve tested positive that you allow them to compete in a grand slam event because as I say, that result will be tainted,” Pandaram said on ABC’s Offsiders.

“There’s an asterisk over Jannik Sinner’s win at the 2025 Australian Open and forever will be because people will believe he entered as a cheat.”

In black and white terms, Sinner’s settlement was an agreement that he was a “drug cheat” — accepting WADA’s offer instead of fighting to clear his name.

Senior Code Sports journalist Todd Balym pointed out the inconsistencies that suggest Sinner was treated differently to others.

“Sinner’s 2025 Australian Open title should be revoked,” he wrote for Code Sports.

“It’s a stain on the integrity of clean sport and a permanent reminder that there are rules for some and rules for others.

“The moment WADA decided to appeal the non-sanctioning by tennis authorities in pursuit of a 1-2 year ban, he should have been stood down from all competitions pending the final decision.”

Tennis Australia, meanwhile, has elected not to make any public statement.

A spokesperson for TA pointed to the statement first issued by the ITIA.

“We acknowledge the announcement made by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), concerning the agreement reached between WADA and Jannik Sinner to settle WADA’s appeal,” tennis’ anti-doping body said.

“The original process was run according to the World Anti-Doping Code and Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.

“Following a thorough investigation by the ITIA (including advice from WADA accredited laboratories), we were satisfied that the player had established the source of the prohibited substance and that the breach was unintentional. Today’s outcome supports this finding.

“The ITIA referred the matter to an independent panel which reached a decision of “No Fault or Negligence” and therefore no suspension based on the facts and their application of the rules.

Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP.

“The three-month outcome was only possible by agreement between WADA and the player.”

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said before the start of the 2025 Australian Open that the tournament’s image would not be tarnished if Sinner went on to win the tournament and was handed a potential ban down the track.

Pressed on whether any future findings against Sinner could damage the image of the AO, Tiley said: “No it won’t. We fully expect that when all those decisions are made, he will be fine.”

He went on to say: “The sport itself is not under a cloud.”

The tournament director also applauded Sinner for how he handled himself during his triumphant campaign.

Tennis was on Monday described as the “most corrupt sport in the world” by outspoken social media tennis commentator Pavvy G on X.

“Today is clear evidence that Tennis is immersed in corruption,” he posted as part of a social media barrage.

“I’m glad Sinner has finally been banned but the way that he’s been able to negotiate terms of his ban is unacceptable.

“Tennis is undoubtedly corrupt but the fact that they are so blatant about it, shows how much control and power they have in the sport.”

He called tennis the “most corrupt sport” in the world, asking how a player can negotiate a doping ban.

“This is one of the biggest scandals in the history of sport,” he posted.

Originally published as Tennis Australia responds to bombshell call for Jannik Sinner to be stripped