Jannik Sinner could face a two-year ban after the appeal process is initiated because he failed drug tests

Jannik Sinner faces a ban of up to two years after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the decision to find him innocent of failing two doping tests.

Sinner won the US Open earlier this month, defeating Britain's Jack Draper in the semifinals. He was cleared to take part in the tournament after an independent panel convened by Sports Resolutions acknowledged that the world number 1's positive tests were the result of contamination from a massage given by his physiotherapist, for which he was not to blame.

Just over a month later, Wada has now confirmed that it will appeal the ruling to sports' highest court.

“The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) confirms that on Thursday, September 26, it lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in the case of the Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, which was determined by an independent arbitration tribunal The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cannot bear any blame or negligence as it tested positive for Clostebol, a banned substance, twice in March 2024.

“In WADA's view, the finding of 'no fault or negligence' was incorrect under current regulations. WADA is requesting a ban of between one and two years. Wada does not seek annulment of any results, except those already imposed by the court of first instance.

“As this matter is now pending before Cas, Wada will have no further comment at this time.”

Wada made his announcement minutes before Sinner took the court against Roman Safiullin in the round of 16 of the China Open, where he lost the first set before recovering to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) released a statement following Wada's move.

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) recognizes the decision of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) to appeal against the “no fault or negligence” verdict in the case of Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, made by an independent, by Sport Resolutions on August 19, 2024. Under the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code, Wada has the final right to appeal against all such decisions.

“Once we reached agreement on the facts following a thorough investigative process, the case was referred to a tribunal completely independent of the ITIA to determine the extent of the culpability and therefore the sanction given the unique circumstances and the absence of a comparable precedent . The trial was conducted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code guidelines; However, the ITIA recognizes and respects Wada’s right to appeal the decision of the independent arbitral tribunal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

Wada's appeal will rock tennis after the original decision in his case saw Sinner win the US Open after already winning his first major at the Australian Open.

Sinner fired the physical therapist blamed for his positive tests and the fitness trainer who administered the steroid after a decision was released in his case before the final major of the year in New York.

The world No. 1 confirmed in his first press conference that Giacomo Naldi and Umberto Ferrara had paid with their jobs since the world No. 1 was “not at fault or negligent” for Clostebol being found in his urine in March.

Last month it was announced that an independent court had accepted that Sinner's positive tests were the result of contamination from a massage by Naldi, who had inadvertently exposed him to the banned substance by using a spray containing the substance to treat a cut finger .

Ferrara also admitted supplying the spray to Naldi and claimed he warned him that it contained such a substance – although the latter denied this.

Before the US Open, Sinner said: “They were a big part of my career. We worked together for two years. We did an incredible job, brought a lot of success and had a great team behind me.

“Because of these mistakes, I am no longer so confident about continuing with this. The only thing I need right now is some clean air.”

Sinner admitted he had been “struggling a lot over the last few months” after his coach Darren Cahill said the doping case had made the Italian so ill he had to miss the Olympics with tonsillitis.

Despite escaping a ban, Sinner was stripped of the 400 ranking points and £250,000 prize money he earned at the Masters 1000 tournament in March in Indian Wells, where he was beaten in the semi-finals by Carlos Alcaraz. However, he feared that things could have been much worse as not all athletes were found to have tested positive due to contamination, thus avoiding a ban.

“Of course I was worried because it was the first time for me and hopefully the last time that I find myself in this situation and position,” said Sinner.

“Another part we need to see is the amount I had in my body, which is 0.000000001. So there are many zeros before you get a one. So of course I was worried because I'm always the player who has worked very, very carefully here. I believe that I am a fair player on and off the field.”

Sinner's postponement of the drug ban still sparked a backlash from his professional colleagues, which Nick Kyrgios described as “ridiculous”. Sinner said the case had revealed who his friends and enemies were and admitted he had to accept that he could not control the impact on his reputation.

“Those who know me very well know that I have not done anything and would never do anything that violates the rules,” he said.

“Here I also know who is my friend and who is not, no, because my friends know that I would never do that.”

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, savings and more.