Jannik Sinner Doping Case Could Have Been Communicated More Efficiently, ATP Chair Says

re “could have been better communication” in explaining rules involved in Jannik Sinner's doping case , ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi acknowledged Thursday.

However, Gaudenzi said at ATP Finals that anyone hinting that a “double standard” was applied because of top-ranked Sinner’s status is “unfair because rules have been same.”

Sinner is playing at home this week for first time since it was announced before his U.S. Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.

case wasn't me public until August.

“I learned day before we all learned,” Gaudenzi said in his public comments on case. He spoke in a round-table discussion with international reporters.

“And to be honest, I’m happy about that. I really thank ITA (International Testing Agency) and our representatives re for intentionally keeping me and our entire team in dark because that’s how it should be.

“It should be completely independent and that was agreed by (parties). It was a shock, but obviously comforted by evidence afterward.”

A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by World Anti-Doping Agency (WA) in September and Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on case early next year.

Sinner’s explanation was that banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiorapist, who used a spray containing steroid to treat his own cut finger.

WA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.

“We are completely external and it’s (an) independent process,” Gaudenzi said. “I generally think has been a fair process. It was really done by book and by rules. Maybe re could have been better communication in explaining those rules, and that is something that I would urge every party involved to work better in next time.”

Gaudenzi said he plans to announce on Sunday future host of ATP Finals. contract with Turin expires next year and re is an option to move event to nearby Milan at a bigger arena being built for 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.