TURIN, Italy — A conclusive ruling in the doping allegation involving top-seeded player Jannik Sinner is anticipated to be rendered in early 2025. However, the president of the Italian tennis federation considers the matter resolved in the eyes of the public.
Angelo Binaghi expressed his thoughts during an interview at the ATP Finals, stating, “Aside from a minority, the global audience recognizes the reality of the situation.” He further emphasized, “Regardless of the outcome, there is no question that Sinner is among the most honest and clean athletes in the sporting world.”
Sinner is participating in a home event for the first time since the revelation of his positive tests for an anabolic steroid prior to winning the U.S. Open. Two separate drug tests conducted in March had indicated the presence of the banned substance. An independent tribunal had previously dismissed the allegations against Sinner, but this decision was opposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which appealed in September. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), based in Switzerland, is projected to deliver its final verdict in 2025.
Sinner claims that the prohibited substance inadvertently entered his body during a massage by his physiotherapist, who had utilized a spray containing the steroid to address his own injury. WADA is currently advocating for a suspension ranging from one to two years for Sinner, asserting that they found the original ruling of ‘no fault or negligence’ to be inaccurate under relevant regulations.
In a recent comment regarding ongoing proceedings, Sinner conveyed uncertainty about when a hearing might take place, stating that he has not yet received any updates from CAS. “No, we don’t know anything yet,” he mentioned. “This is my third encounter with this scenario, which is not ideal. However, I’ve always come through it positively, so I am optimistic.”
Despite his age of just 23, a one or two-year suspension could have significant ramifications for his career. Nonetheless, Binaghi remains hopeful, asserting, “We believe that the forthcoming verdict will completely exonerate him.”
Sinner’s commitment to his sport continues to shine through, as he proves himself a formidable athlete. Marco Lavazza, vice chairman of the Lavazza coffee company, which remains one of Sinner’s primary sponsors, proclaimed the brand’s unwavering support, clarifying, “The allegations were startling, but we realized it was a misunderstanding. I have full faith in who Jannik Sinner is.”
On the court, Sinner continues to excel, having secured victory in his first two matches at the ATP Finals against Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz, and is set to compete against Daniil Medvedev soon. His matches are captivating Italian audiences, drawing larger television viewership than many top soccer matches, with local fans purchasing nearly all tickets available for the finals. “We are seeing an entirely Italian audience,” remarked Binaghi, noting a decrease of about 30,000 foreign spectators compared to the previous year.
Additionally, the Italian tennis federation is proposing to relocate the ATP Finals to Milan following the conclusion of its five-year agreement with Turin. The rationale for this move includes the potential for increased ticket sales due to a new arena being constructed for the 2026 Olympics in Milan, which will accommodate 4,000 more spectators than the Inalpi arena in Turin. Binaghi noted that negotiations are in progress, stating, “We have suggested extending the tournament’s stay in Italy for another five years, although maintaining it in Turin is still a viable option.” A decision regarding the event’s future is expected to be announced by the ATP by the end of the weekend.