Decision on world No.1 Jannik Sinner's doping case delayed to new year

A decision on Jannik Sinner's doping case will not be made until next year, according to World Anti-Doping Agency director general Olivier Niggli.

The world No.1 tested positive to two anabolic steroids in March but was given the green light to continue competing after providing evidence that he had not doped intentionally.

An independent tribunal conducted at the request of the International Tennis Integrity Agency found the Australian Open champion had "no fault or negligence" in the case, but it's findings have since been appealed by WADA.

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The ITIA accepted Sinner's evidence that the drug had entered his system unintentionally via his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the banned substance to treat a cut.

WADA's investigation, if found guilty, could see the 23-year-old banned for up to two years from the sport.

"There will be nothing by the end of the year," WADA director general Olivier Niggli told AFP.

"It was considered in the decision that there was no fault on the part of Sinner.

"Our position is that there is still a responsibility of the athlete in relation to his entourage.

"It is this legal point that will be debated (before CAS)."

Niggli reiterated that WADA "do not dispute" the evidence and explanation provided by Sinner rather "believe the application of the rules does not correspond to the case law."

ITIA faced criticism for their delayed communication around the positive tests and came under fire again when women's world number one Iga Swiatek tested positive.

But Niggli insisted that athletes still maintain the right to "be protected" by the agency.

"Personally, I think that protecting an athlete's reputation should be out first concern," Niggli said.

"We live in a world where social media is what it is and means that reputation can go up in smoke in a very, very short time."

Both Sinner and Swiatek are set to return to action on Australia soil in January at the Australian Open.