Last week in doping: Doping Comebacks Sparks Debates
May 15, 2025Jannik Sinner’s return from a three-month doping ban has reignited debate around fairness in anti-doping enforcement. While fans celebrated in Rome, Serena Williams and others questioned whether WADA applies its rules evenly.
Jannik Sinner’s return to the ATP Tour following a three-month suspension for doping has dominated sports media over the past week. The Italian world number one tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol during and after the Indian Wells tournament in March. A case resolution agreement with WADA led to a shortened ban – long enough to miss minor events but not the Grand Slams.
His comeback at the Italian Open was met with applause and positive coverage. But behind the fanfare, criticism brewed. Serena Williams publicly claimed she would have been “banned for 20 years” if she had failed a doping test under similar circumstances. Critics say the handling of Sinner’s case sets a dangerous precedent for leniency when high-profile athletes are involved.
“It raises questions about equal treatment,” said one former coach, pointing to how timing, legal strategy, and negotiation can influence the length and visibility of suspensions.
Insight from the Anti-Doping Database:
According to historical data from the Anti-Doping Database, athletes who test positive for clostebol typically receive suspensions ranging from one to two years.
Sinner’s three-month ban is therefore an outlier. It may reflect WADA’s strategic intent to close a loophole – not by imposing a long ban, but by making it clear that “my physio used the cream” won’t become an accepted defense. Similar tactics were seen in the BALCO scandal, where testosterone creams were part of an orchestrated doping regimen disguised as injury treatment.
Sun Yang Returns to the Pool – and the Spotlight
In a separate doping narrative, Sun Yang of China returned to competition this week following a four-year suspension. The swimming star was banned in 2020 after smashing blood vials with a hammer during a doping control in 2018 – an incident that shocked the sporting world and led to his exclusion from the Tokyo Olympics.
His return has been quiet but did not go unnoticed. Several athletes, including Australia’s Mack Horton, have previously protested Sun’s presence at podiums, citing concerns over fairness and integrity.
More Doping Headlines This Week:
-
Miguel Ángel López, Colombian cyclist, had his four-year suspension upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport for use and possession of menotropin.
-
Ramiro Vaca, a top scorer in the Copa Libertadores, was provisionally suspended following a failed test after a club match for Bolívar.
-
Kagiso Rabada, South African cricket star, tested positive for cocaine but received a shorter suspension – sparking debate about transparency and accountability in cricket’s anti-doping system.
A Pressured WADA
While managing these cases, WADA announced strengthened partnerships in Africa and extended financial support from Japan. Still, the agency has not addressed mounting criticism over Sinner’s case. Observers are questioning how WADA balances rule enforcement with public perception when elite athletes are involved.