Jannik Sinner doping case still open as WADA asks for more documentation in investigation against US Open champ before appeal
In the latest update to Jannik Sinner's doping saga, WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) has asked for more documentation in the World No. 1's case before making an appeal against him to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport). In the meantime, WADA has made it clear that the investigation is ongoing and that the case against Sinner is still open.
Sinner entered the media spotlight for all the wrong reasons last month when it came to light that he had failed two drug tests after testing positive for Clostebol, a prohibited steroid in March. However, he escaped any ban, with the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) ruling that the intake was unintentional on the Italian's part.
WADA, back then, had promised that they will be taking the matter up with CAS soon. Now, the international doping watchdog has confirmed that it needs more documentation on the investigation originally conducted on Sinner by the ITIA.
As reported by Correire Della Serra, WADA received a 50-page report from the ITIA but was still unsatisfied with the information it was handed. The report also indicates that WADA's 21-day appeal deadline will start only from the time it receives the new documentation. Whether or not the new information has already been provided has also been confidential by WADA.
In between all this, Sinner was in action at the US Open, where he won his second Grand Slam title, beating local lad Taylor Fritz in the final. Having won the Australian Open at the start of the year, the World No. 1 became only the third man this century, after Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, to win both hardcourt Slams in the same season.
"It was, and it still is, a little bit in my mind" - Jannik Sinner on impact of doping saga in his US Open run
At his press conference after winning the US Open, Jannik Sinner conceded that throughout the 14 days in New York, the doping saga was on the back of his mind.
The Italian thanked his team for helping him get through the ordeal despite that, ensuring that he didn't get distracted too much by what was happening off the court.
"What allowed me to do that [winning US Open amid doping disclosure and criticism] was the people who were close to me daily, people who know me already when I was very young, and also my family and my team and everyone who supports me daily," Sinner said.
"It was and it still is a little bit in my mind. It's not that it's gone. When I'm on court, I try to focus about the game. I try to handle the situation in the best possible way, communicate with the team on the practice courts," he added.
Jannik Sinner has qualified for the ATP Finals and will be back in action next at the Asian swing following his success at Flushing Meadows.