Defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner said Friday that he does not know if or when the result of his doping case might lift the specter of punishment for his title defense at Melbourne Park.

Will Jannik Sinner Be Banned?

Sinner tested positive March for traces of the anabolic steroid clostebol but was initially exonerated in August after describing the result as one of “accidental contamination.”. However, in September, the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, keeping the Italian in limbo as he could potentially face a two-year ban.

The young player admitted to the media before the Australian Open that there are still many things unclear about the case. He, however, was able to keep his concentration during the last season and won his second Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open.

Jannik Sinner’s Stance

“I know exactly as much as you guys know. We’re in a stage where we don’t know many, many things,” Sinner said. “Yeah, you think about this, of course. I would lie if I said I forget. It’s been with me for quite a long time. But it is what it is. I’m here trying to prepare for the Grand Slam. Let’s see how it goes.”