Australian tennis commentator Rennae Stubbs has sparked a heated debate by claiming that Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner is “guaranteed” to face a ban when he appears before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in April.
Despite winning his second Australian Open title and third Grand Slam, Sinner’s career is under a cloud due to a pending doping case.
The Doping Allegations Explained
Sinner tested positive for the banned steroid Clostebol in March last year, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared him of any wrongdoing, citing accidental contamination by his physio.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision, seeking a ban of between 1-2 years due to negligence on Sinner’s part.
What Led to the Doping Allegations?
The controversy surrounding Sinner’s case stems from his physio applying a spray containing Clostebol to his own finger and then massaging Sinner without gloves on.
As a result, the steroid entered Sinner’s system through an open sore on his back.
While WADA accepts that Sinner was not at fault, they argue that he should still be held responsible for the actions of his team members.
Rennae Stubbs Weighs In: “It’s a Joke”
Speaking on her podcast, Rennae Stubbs expressed her frustration with the situation, calling it “a joke.” She believes that Sinner should not be banned but acknowledges that it’s likely to happen.
Stubbs questioned the delay in WADA’s appeal, pointing out that Sinner has won several titles since the initial decision, including two Grand Slams.
What’s at Stake for Sinner?
If Sinner is banned, it’s unclear what will happen to the titles he has won since the doping allegations surfaced.
While WADA has stated that they do not intend to strip Sinner of his trophies, many are calling for him to be stripped of his titles if he is found guilty.
Sinner Remains Confident
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Sinner remains confident that he will be cleared of any wrongdoing.
“I keep playing like this because I have a clear mind on what happened,” he said after the Australian Open final.
“If I knew I was guilty, I would not play like this, and that’s it.” The tennis world will be watching with bated breath as Sinner’s case unfolds in April.