World No.1 Jannik Sinner looks set to defend his Australian Open title in 2025 after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced its hearing schedule. However, the issue surrounding his failed drug test will continue to follow him for a few more months.
Sinner, who is currently ranked World No. 1, tested positive for clostebol in March. The rsesults were made public in August, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared him, stating that he had “no fault or negligence.” While the Italian was stripped of his ranking points from the Indian Wells, he was allowed to continue playing.
In a surprising move, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the ITIA’s decision. WADA argued that the “no fault or negligence” ruling was incorrect and sought a suspension of one to two years.
CAS has now published its hearing schedule, and the appeal against Sinner’s ruling will not be heard until after the Australian Open. This means Sinner can compete in both the Australian Open and the Rotterdam Open, where he is also the defending champion. However, the case will not be resolved until late February or early March, keeping the uncertainty hanging over him.
Jannik Sinner’s achievements in 2024
Jannik Sinner has undoubtedly been the standout player of 2024. His recent victory at the ATP Finals added to his impressive career achievements, showcasing his growth as a player. This season has earned him a place among tennis’ elite, with records that place him on par with the sport’s biggest stars.
In Turin, Sinner dominated the ATP Finals, winning the tournament without dropping a single set. This remarkable feat was last achieved by Ivan Lendl in 1986. Sinner also set a new record for the fewest games lost in the tournament, conceding only 33 games, which surpassed the previous record of 34 set by John McEnroe in 1978 and Lendl in 1987.
Sinner’s 2024 season was not only impressive in terms of his title wins but also his consistency. With a 92% win rate, he finished the year with 70 wins and just six losses. This winning percentage is the best since Novak Djokovic’s 2015 season, which ended with just over 93% victories.
Another incredible achievement for Sinner is that he did not lose a match in straight sets throughout the year. This feat matches a record set by Roger Federer in 2005. Finally, by winning the Australian Open, US Open, and ATP Finals in the same year, the Italian superstar joined Djokovic and Federer as the only players to achieve this remarkable accomplishment. His evolution on and off the court has been nothing short of meteoric.
