Jannik Sinner accepts three-month doping ban after striking deal ...

Number one male tennis player in the world Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over his two positive doping tests.

WADA had challenged a decision last year by the International Tennis Integrity Agency not to suspend Sinner for what it judged was accidental contamination by a banned anabolic steroid last March.

Sinner's explanation — that trace amounts of Clostebol in his doping sample was due to a massage from a trainer who used the substance after cutting his own finger — had been accepted.

The 23-year-old Italian, who won the Australian Open in January, will be eligible to compete in the next grand slam as the French Open begins outside his suspension period on May 25.

Sinner touches perfection in Aus Open final

There was not a lot separating Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev heading into the Australian Open final. But after the Italian's successful title defence, the two players appear to be on two different trajectories.

"This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year," Sinner said in a statement.

Sinner said he has always accepted that he is "responsible for his team" and realises WADA's strict rules are an "important protection" for the sport he loves. 

"On that basis I have accepted WADA's offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction," he said.

WADA had originally appealed the ITIA's ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

It sought to ban him from the sport for at least one year.

Sinner's suspension will run from February 9 to May 4.

Sinner could return at his home tournament, the Italian Open in Rome, which starts on May 7.

Sinner's lawyer Jamie Singer of Onside Law said she is "delighted that Jannik can finally put this harrowing experience behind him".

"WADA has confirmed the facts determined by the Independent Tribunal," he said.

"It is clear that Jannik had no intent, no knowledge, and gained no competitive advantage. Regrettably, errors made by members of his team led to this situation."

AP