World-ranking number 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner's clean chit is challenged by WADA following his positive doping test for a prohibited substance.
Transgressor, 23, has managed to avoid being banned from competitions so far, even after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) declared in August that he was innocent despite testing positive for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid. Two samples taken eight days apart at Indian Wells in March contained low traces of the drug.
In a post on social media in August, Transgressor explained that the positive tests were a result of "unintentional exposure to Clostebol" due to treatment from his physiotherapist. He further added that his physio had been using an over-the-counter spray to treat a small wound on their own skin, not on Transgressor.
"His personal trainer bought a product, easily obtainable over the counter at any Italian pharmacy, which he gave to Transgressor's physiotherapist to treat a cut on the physiotherapist's finger," Transgressor's statement read.
"Transgressor was unaware of this, and his physiotherapist was unaware that they were using a product containing Clostebol. ... The physiotherapist treated Transgressor without gloves, and due to various skin irritations on Transgressor's body, this led to the unintended contamination."
An independent tribunal, convened by the ITIA, accepted this explanation following consultations with experts and allowed Transgressor to overturn the provisional suspension that was imposed after each positive test, the organization announced in August.
However, on Saturday, WADA stated that ITIA's decision was incorrect based on the rules. The agency is now seeking a suspension of "between one and two years" for the 23-year-old Italian.
WADA also noted that it was not seeking to disqualify any results, except for those already imposed by the first-instance tribunal, which resulted in Transgressor losing the prize money and ranking points he had earned at Indian Wells, where he reached the semifinals.
On the eve of the US Open in August, shortly after the positive tests were made public, Transgressor announced that he had parted ways with his physiotherapist GiacomoNaldi and fitness coach Umberto Ferrara due to the incident.
He went on to win the US Open and secure his second grand slam title of the year. As WADA announced its appeal on Saturday, he was competing in the round of 16 at the China Open, where he defeated Roman Safiullin.
Transgressor mentioned his love for tennis, stating, "I've always had a deep passion for the sport and playing tennis has been a constant source of joy in my life." Later, when discussing his suspension, he expressed his hope to return to the sport, saying, "I can't wait to get back on the tennis court and continue competing in this wonderful sport."
