Sinner's ban not for doping: Wada counsel

Jannik Sinner accepted an immediate three-month ban after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) is not unique to the case of the men's world No. 1, said Wada's chief counsel.

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MONTREAL - Jannik Sinner accepted an immediate three-month ban after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) is not unique to the case of the men's world No. 1, said Wada's chief counsel.

Sinner was cleared of wrongdoing after testing positive for traces of the anabolic agent clostebol, but accepted the ban after Wada was ready to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where the 23-year-old Italian risked a suspension of up to two years.

The ban will allow the three-time Major winner to return before the French Open in May and, although he will miss Masters tournaments, the decision has been criticised by current and former players and described as "too convenient".

However, Ross Wenzel, the chief counsel of Wada Tennis, said that although Sinner did no wrong, it was the anti-doping body's duty to appeal the decision as athletes bear responsibility for their negligence by members of their support team.