Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has slammed the World Anti-Doping Agency’s decision to appeal the “no fault or negligence” verdict reached after Jannik Sinner’s failed drug tests.
The former world No 1 branded WADA “a mess” as she drew a contrast with Chinese swimmers being allowed to compete following positive tests for banned substances.
Last month, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced Sinner had avoided a ban for failing two drug tests in March after an independent tribunal ruled he was not to blame.
The Italian star tested positive for low levels of clostebol, an anabolic steroid, on March 10 and 18 — during and after the Indian Wells Masters.
The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance had entered his body when receiving a massage from his physio, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on their finger.
However, it was revealed on Saturday that WADA had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to impose a ban of up to two years on Sinner.
A statement from WADA said: “It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules.
A statement from WADA said: “It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules.
