Sinner, the Wada decision: the timing and why the sentence was appealed

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Politics and more politics. The positivity of Jannik Sinner at Clostebol for contamination last March, following two tests carried out a week apart, is increasingly a political issue . On one side the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency), on the other the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). In the middle is him, the world number 1 who like a "catamaran" is sailing between the buoys that each time appear before him like boulders. It is not easy to find concentration and motivation to move forward and continue a season that, in terms of growth and results, is amazing. Yesterday the ITIA spoke again, clarifying the appeal of the WADA on the verdict of full acquittal that the ITIA itself, with a thorough trial, had taken, declaring the champion not guilty and even less negligent, while taking away the points and prize money won in the "incriminated" tournament, the 1000 of Indian Wells, where Sinner had reached the semifinal.

ITIA's note on the Sinner case
Speaking for the ITIA was its CEO, Karen Moorhouse , who wanted to explain the body's position in detail: "In the Sinner case, we understand that the focus of the appeal is on the interpretation and application of the rules by the independent tribunal in determining what level of fault the player may have, rather than on the ITIA's investigation of the facts and science ," said Moorhouse . "That said, we recognise that it is our responsibility to work with members of the tennis family to ensure there is confidence in the process and we encourage dialogue with players, their representatives and the media on this matter. We also understand that the case involving Sinner has attracted a lot of attention and has provoked much comment and speculation, following our decision to attribute no fault or negligence to the player."


ITIA on Sinner: "No preferential treatment"
The ITIA's desire to reiterate that the treatment of the current ATP ranking number 1 was no different than that of other players and athletes is evident, a position instead chosen by some critics, including some tennis players: "The process - it is further emphasized - is defined by the World Anti-Doping Code, established by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and by the Tennis Anti-Doping Program. The way we manage cases does not change, regardless of the profile of the player involved. The way a case is conducted is determined by its circumstances, by the facts and by science" . In short, there was no ad hoc treatment for Sinner . A clarification that the ITIA deemed necessary to give, even if at least late in terms of timing, following the appeal made to the CAS by the aforementioned WADA. Relevant is the reference regarding the decision taken by the Independent Tribunal to the facts and science which should be the only realities from which examination, as has happened, a judgment can arise.


WADA seeks to establish Sinner's guilt
At the same time, the ITIA has recognized WADA's right to appeal the acquittal sentence issued. What is jarring is not to resort, as is lawful and within the right of anyone, to multiple levels of judgment but to the fact that these are bodies that are often in conflict with each other and that have often seemed unreliable in their interpretations of the rules. The timing of WADA's decision is not yet known, rumor has it that it will be next January but it could be closer to six months, and in the meantime the "sword of Damocles" over the athlete continues to be looming, cumbersome, and ultimately dangerous. WADA has decided to appeal the sentence not to demonstrate the intentional use of the healing agent, but to verify and establish partial guilt on the part of the player, guilty (i.e. responsible) in their opinion for the behavior of the members of his staff who were next to him at the time of the facts, namely the former physiotherapist Naldi and the former trainer Umberto Ferrara .