Jannik Sinner Accepts 3-Month Ban

Top-ranked tennis star Jannik Sinner avoided a lengthy suspension in a doping case, as the World Anti-Doping Agency accepted his accidental contamination story, allowing him to return just in time for the Grand Slam circuit. Sinner accepted a three-month ban from last Sunday to May 4 in a settlement with WADA. This resolves a case of accidental contamination involving a banned substance. Sinner tested positive for the steroid Clostebol nearly a year ago. The contamination was due to a massage from a trainer, which WADA accepted as unintentional and non-performance enhancing.

"However," said the WADA statement, "under the code and by virtue of (the Court of Arbitration for Sport) precedent, an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage's negligence. Based on the unique set of facts of this case, a three-month suspension is deemed to be an appropriate outcome." Said Sinner: "I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize WADA's strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)