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The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is yet to decide if it will appeal against the decision of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) which set Jannik Sinner free from the anti-doping case. As per the reports, the global anti-doping agency has a deadline of three weeks to do so. Notably, on August 20, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced the decision to exonerate the newly-crowned US Open champion Jannik Sinner in his positive steroid case.
The WADA shared the details of the appeal deadline with The Associated Press which showcases that the World Anti-Doping Code gives the agency a deadline of at least until the end of September to file an appeal in the Sinner case. Notably, the WADA and Italy’s anti-doping agency, Nado Italia, are the only two agencies that could challenge the decision announced by the ITIA in the month of August.
WADA and Nado Italia can challenge the decision until September 21
As per the doping rules, any party with a right to appeal can challenge the case within 21 days of the verdict, so that the WADA has another 21 days to do so before the window closes. Tuesday, September 10, marks the 21st day since the verdict was announced, but Italy’s body is yet to file an appeal. However, it was unclear whether the initial deadline expired on Tuesday, since the window opens only after all parties receive the verdict, which can be a few more days from the announcement.
The rulebook says, "The deadline for filing an appeal to the CAS will be 21 days from the date of receipt of the reasoned decision in question by the appealing party.” For the unversed, Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but was not banned because the ITIA determined that he was not to be blamed. If the WADA decides to appeal against the verdict, it might jeopardize his US Open title.
