Jannik Sinner Doping Row: New regulation update by the World Anti-Doping Agency

The new anti-doping regulations are being unveiled just a few weeks after a fresh doping case and has drastically rocked the tennis world. Following a year in which the cases of current world number one Jannik Sinner and number two Iga Swiatek held significant attention, WADA has made certain modifications to its regulations. Will the Italian and Pole be impacted by these updates?

Ubitennis stated that during the WADA Executive Committee's meeting on December 5th, a number of amendments to the anti-doping rules were authorized to be implemented on January 1, 2027. With these modifications, athletes who are found to have accidentally consumed banned substances—as may have happened with Jannik Sinner and Swiatek—will be better able to handle so-called "involuntary doping cases." 

Although there are some parallels between the Polish player's case and the Italian's, Jannik's case is different, and Iga's case ended with a one-month penalty. In 2025, the native of San Candido is scheduled to testify before the Court. Sinner is not eligible for the 100% suspension period reduction that Iga Swiatek received because he was exposed in a different.

Iga Swiatek will play at Australian Open

The new regulation will not favor the Italian because of the timing of its implementation, which could harm Jannik. The modification will be implemented in 2027, and he will be required to testify in 2025. That being said, Jannik's defense approach does not necessarily need to be compromised. WADA is making these changes in response to hundreds of athletes and tennis players who have expressed a need for greater transparency in these doping situations.

After making a comeback at the WTA Finals in Riyadh at the beginning of November, the world No. 2 concluded her season at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga. The United Cup and the Australian Open are Swiatek's next two scheduled competitions.