Jannik Sinner has to wait until February for CAS ruling on doping case, avoiding Australian Open suspension

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) appeal against Jannik Sinner for his doping case will not be heard until after the Australian Open at the earliest. The agency is seeking a sanction of up to two years, which will be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), though a few months remain before the decision is made.

The world No. 1 tested positive twice for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, back in March of this year during the Indian Wells tournament. The ITIA, through an independent tribunal, ruled that there was no fault or negligence, despite the two anti-doping violations.

As a result, during a hearing on August 15, it was decided that Sinner would lose his Indian Wells points and the prize money earned from that tournament. However, WADA was dissatisfied with the decision and announced an appeal, claiming that "the finding of 'no fault or negligence' was not correct under the applicable rules."

“It’s in the head a little bit,” Sinner said during the Davis Cup Finals last week. “The most important part is that all the people who know me trust me. That’s the reason I kept playing at the level I had. I had some ups and downs, and I was emotionally a bit heartbroken, but sometimes life gives you difficulties and you just have to stand for it.”

CAS has already set its next hearing dates until February of next year, with no clear date for Sinner's trial. This ensures that the Italian will be waiting for the judgment at least until February, so he will not have to miss the Australian Open in the event of an adverse ruling.