Andre Agassi & Coco Gauff's ex-coach Brad Gilbert furious over WADA appealing Jannik Sinner's doping verdict and calling for 2-year ban on Italian

Brad Gilbert and Paul McNamee bemoaned WADA's (World Anti-Doping Agency) appeal to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) as they contest Jannik Sinner's 'no fault' verdict of his doping case. The Italian tested positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, during the Indian Wells Masters in March this year.

However, Sinner appealed the verdict and claimed that the substance had entered his body via bare-handed body massages by his ex-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who used a healing spray, containing Clostebol, for a wound on his own finger.

Coupled with the fact that the amount of the drug found was less than a billionth, the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) deemed the amount not capable of enhancing performance and cleared the World No. 1.

The ATP also released a statement where they mentioned that Sinner was at 'no fault' regarding his doping. The news became public knowledge ahead of the 2024 US Open, which the Italian won

However, in a sudden turn of events, WADA has appealed Jannik Sinner's verdict to CAS and has asked for a suspension of one to two years:

"It is WADA’s view that the finding of “no fault or negligence” was not correct under the applicable rules. WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance. As this matter is now pending before CAS, WADA will make no further comment at this time."

This news has sent shockwaves throughout the tennis fraternity, sparking many discussions. Coco Gauff and Andre Agassi's ex-coach Brad Gilbert bemoaned WADA's decision and highlighted how the amount of substance was significantly less than a gram of salt. He also mentioned Sinner would have to pay for his own lawyers, noting how the case could go on for a long time.

"I am completely disheveled by this Wada decision, was 8000 times smaller then a gram of salt this now will unfortunately take months to figure out, where is the players representation on this, other then Sin City paying for his own lawyers," Gilbert wrote.

Former doubles World No.1 Paul McNamee also expressed his astonishment at WADA's decision and said that it was a 'big call' by the organization:

"Gee that’s sending shockwaves through tennis that WADA are appealing the ITIA decision to the Court of Arbitration of Sport in the Jannik Sinner case…. that’s a very big call and I wasn’t expecting that."

"I'm very disappointed and also surprised" - Jannik Sinner reacts to WADA's appeal to his 'no fault' verdict

Jannik Sinner, during his press conference after his Round of 16 win over Roman Safiullin at the 2024 China Open, admitted that he was disappointed and surprised that WADA decided to appeal his verdict.

He mentioned that he knew the appeal was going to be made a few days back but was shocked since he had three hearings in his favor.

"Im very disappointed and also surprised of this appeal, to be honest, because we had three hearings. All three hearings came out very positively for me. You know, I was not expecting it. I knew it a couple of days ago, that they were going to appeal, that today it's going to go official," Sinner said.

Sinner added:

"But yeah, it's surprise. We always talk about the same thing. Maybe they just want to make sure that everything is in the right position. Yeah, I'm just surprised that they appealed."

Jannik Sinner is currently defending his title at the China Open where he is the top seed. He defeated Nicolas Jarry and Roman Safiullin in the first two rounds and both his wins came from a set down. He will face Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals on Monday, September 30.