Jannik Sinner, currently ranked world No. 1, is anxiously awaiting a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing in April, which might lead to a significant suspension from tennis due to failed doping tests.

Last March, Sinner tested positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol, which he claimed entered his system via a contaminated cream used by a team member during a massage.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) sided with Sinner, ruling that he was not at fault, and he avoided a ban.

However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed this decision, with the case scheduled for April 16-17.

The tennis community is on edge awaiting the outcome, especially given the recent history of high-profile doping cases. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman has noted that such incidents have harmed the sport’s reputation.

Simona Halep, once ranked No. 1, faced a ban after a positive doping test but successfully argued it was due to a contaminated supplement.

Similarly, five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek failed a test last year but proved the substance came from a contaminated sleeping aid, leading to a one-month suspension.

“It hasn’t been a good look for the sport, especially when you throw in the Swiatek and Halep cases,” said Sky Sports Tennis analyst Henman.

“There is this legal process, but it’s frustrating for the sport and the fans that this process started last year and we are going to get a decision in April. That’s too long.

“Personally, in all those cases, I don’t think in any way that the players are trying to cheat. However, we have to get to the outcome quicker than that.

“I’m amazed that Sinner has been able to play such good tennis with that cloud over his head.

“What the outcome is going to be, I don’t know. We need to get to one final conclusion ASAP.”

Although Sinner’s legal team might feel confident in defending him at the WADA appeal, the reality is that even if he proves he wasn’t entirely responsible for the clostebol in his system, he could face a lengthy suspension.

The key term in this legal battle is ‘significant.’ The ITIA’s original ruling stated that Sinner had ‘no fault or negligence’ for the positive test, which prevented a long ban. However, WADA contends that the ruling should state ‘no significant fault or negligence,’ maintaining the principle that athletes are accountable for any substances in their system.

In an exclusive interview with Tennis365, ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse clarified that if the appeal goes against Sinner, the minimum suspension he would face is one year.

“If you test positive for a banned substance, your starting point for a possible sanction is four years,” Moorhouse explained in her extensive Tennis365 interview.

“If you can demonstrate that it was not intentional, that reduces to two years. Then, if you can prove there was no fault, there is no sanction.

“In addition, a decision of ‘no significant fault or negligence’ could fall between a reprimand and two years. That applies to any cases around a contaminated substance.

“It’s the same rules and the same processes for every player. All cases are different and each case turns on individual facts.

“The complication with the Sinner case is the positive test was not a result of a contaminated product. That is the difference between Swiatek and Halep. There is no contamination here.

“The product that the masseuse used on his finger was not contaminated. That is exactly what it said the product contained on the packaging.

“And so because it is not a contaminated product, the range for a sanction is one year to two years.”

Sinner’s presence at the top of the ATP Rankings and as the outstanding player in the men’s game adds to the hype that will build up around the CAS hearing in April, with a widespread expectation that he will be banned for a lengthy period representing a big problem for the sport.
The image of tennis is on the line and a suspension for Sinner will resonate with an audience outside of the sport, with the damage it would do to Sinner’s legacy hard to quantify.

Tim Henman’s desire for a quick resolution in Jannik Sinner’s case is likely echoed by many within the tennis community, as the issue remains a significant topic of discussion nearly a year later.

Sinner’s status as the world No. 1 and his dominance in men’s tennis amplify the anticipation surrounding the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing in April. There’s a widespread belief that he might face a substantial suspension, which would pose a significant challenge for the sport.

The integrity of tennis is at stake, and any ban on Sinner would not only affect those within the sport but also resonate with a broader audience, making it difficult to measure the impact on his legacy.

Carlos Alcaraz got his revenge against Botic van de Zandschulp in Rotterdam, overcoming the Dutch player who had previously handed him one of the most shocking defeats of his career at the US Open the previous year.

After a whirlwind European summer where Alcaraz clinched the French Open and Wimbledon, and made it to the Olympic final, he was visibly exhausted and lost to Van de Zandschulp in New York.

Seeing Van de Zandschulp’s name in the first round draw at Rotterdam must have given Alcaraz a moment of pause. However, this time, there was no upset; Alcaraz won 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1, though the tight scoreline in the first two sets showed that Van de Zandschulp remains a formidable opponent for the world No. 3.

Post-match, Alcaraz confessed to feeling nervous before the encounter and noted that it took some time for him to adjust to playing indoors, marking his first indoor match of 2025.

“I think there were a lot of ups and downs in the match,” Alcaraz said.

“It was different, it’s totally different when you’re competing than in the practices.

“I started really nervous, I think it’s normal. The first match in every tournament is never easy. I just had to get used to my first match here in Rotterdam.

“You have to get used to playing with a full crowd, it’s totally different. I’m just happy to get used to it.”

“Being set point down in the first set, I think Botic played a really solid match. Not too many ups and downs for him, really consistent throughout the match. I’m just really happy to get through.

“I had to be really focused in the tough moments, to keep pushing and trust the good tennis will come again. I’m happy to get through a difficult match and have a chance to get better in the next round.”

Carlos Alcaraz admitting to feeling nervous before his match against Botic van de Zandschulp underscores the pressure this young star can mask once he steps onto the court.

Despite being only 21, Alcaraz displays the poise of a seasoned pro. His performance against Van de Zandschulp wasn’t his most fluid, but it was effective enough to secure the victory.

His form might have been influenced by a cold he contracted after coming back from the Australian Open, where he was knocked out in the quarter-finals by a brilliant Novak Djokovic.

“I spent a few days at home after Australia, but I got a cold,” said Alcaraz prior to his opening match in Rotterdam. “I was struggling a little bit at home. I could only train for two days and then I had to rest until the cold got better.

“But spending time at home, it doesn’t matter if you are sick, it is always great, having your family there. It allows you to be fresh mentally, to travel again.”

The black tape on Carlos Alcaraz’s nose during the match can be attributed to his nasal issues, which seem to be recurring, having also affected him at the previous year’s ATP Finals.

Simona Halep has admitted she’s contemplating retirement, even though she’s been cleared to compete again.

In March of last year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her doping ban from four years to just nine months, allowing her an immediate return. However, she’s had limited court time since then.

Currently, Halep is playing in her hometown at the Transylvania Open in Cluj, marking only her fifth tournament since her ban was shortened. This is her first event in 2025 and her first match since October.

The former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam winner has entered both singles and doubles. Yet, her comeback has been hampered by a knee injury, which has not only slowed her down but has now led her to consider hanging up her racquet.

“The knee injury I have is quite serious and difficult to recover from,” Halep told Golazo ahead of the WTA 250 in Cluj.

“I don’t know if I’m afraid to push myself, but when I feel pain, it’s hard to play at my highest level. It’s very difficult to get back to where I was, especially after such a long break.

“The thought of retiring crosses my mind very often. I’ve reached an age where I have injuries that are hard to recover from.”

The Romanian continued: “My knee won’t heal completely. I was advised to undergo surgery, but it’s a complicated procedure, and I don’t think I will go through with it.

“We’ll see what happens next. Life moves forward, and I’ll take things as they come. Tennis is not everything in life. I have many desires and goals beyond the sport.

“Everything I have done has been extraordinary… I may not have even dreamed of becoming world No. 1 and winning two Grand Slam titles. I worked hard for it, and I feel fulfilled as a tennis player.

“Now, I want to do something else, not just tennis. The first part of my life was all about tennis; now, I want to explore other things.”

Although retirement is something Halep is thinking about, her immediate focus is on the competition in Romania. She partnered with Ana Bogdan for the doubles but was knocked out in the first round.

Now, she’s set to take on Lucia Bronzetti in singles, aiming to secure her first WTA Tour victory since coming back from her suspension.