World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has officially been cleared of all doping charges.
On Tuesday, Corriere della Sera reported that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will not appeal the decision of an independent tribunal that ruled Sinner “bore no fault or negligence” for failing two drug tests earlier this year. It was reported in August that Sinner tested twice in March for the steroid clostebol but argued the tests were the result of contamination from his physiotherapist.
WADA had the right to appeal the decision but reportedly allowed the window to appeal to pass.
With Sinner officially in the clear, he can switch all his focus to tennis rather than worrying about the looming threat of a suspension. During his stellar two-week run at Flushing Meadows, which culminated with his first U.S. Open title, he spoke extensively about the doping cloud hanging over him and several of his peers doubting his innocence.
“In my mind, I know I haven’t done anything wrong,” Sinner told reporters before the U..S Open, via ESPN. “I had to play already months with this [doping allegations] in my head, but, you know, just remembering myself that I haven’t done really anything wrong. I always respect these rules, and I always will respect these rules of anti-doping.”
After hoisting the U.S Open trophy on Sunday, Sinner held back tears when he admitted that the win “means so much” because he and his team had to endure a “lot of difficulties” in the lead-up to the slam.
Sinner (55-5 in 2024) has already won six titles in 2024: the Australian Open, Miami, Rotterdam, Halle, Cincinnati and U.S. Open. The Italian is now eyeing his seventh title at the upcoming ATP 500 China Open in Beijing. Thereafter, he is scheduled to play at the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters in Shanghai.
