Bombshell as world number one Jannik Sinner issued court hearing for doping - as he faces a possible TWO-YEAR ban from the sport

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On the eve of the Australian Open, Jannik Sinner has been given a date for the doping appeal case that could define the next phase of his career.

On April 16 and 17 in Lausanne, the Court of Arbitration for Sport will sit to rule on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) contention that the world No1 should be banned for up to two years for failing two doping tests in March of last year.

Tennis's anti-doping body, the Tennis Integrity Agency, accepted Sinner's explanation that the banned substance clostebol entered his system via a cream applied to a cut on his physio's hand.

They judged he bore 'no fault or negligence' and issued no suspension. WADA appealed, seeking a ban because they believe the judgement should have been: 'no significant fault or negligence'. 

A fine line semantically but a potential world of difference for Sinner. With the spring court date, if things go against him then this Australian Open could prove to be his last Grand Slam for some time.

Just hours before the date was issued, Sinner said he was in the dark over the whole process.

Jannik Sinner will enter his Australian Open defence knowing a court hearing in Switzerland in April could condemn him to a potential two-year ban for doping 

The Court of Arbitration for Sport, (CAS) sport's highest tribunal, announced on Friday they will hear an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the sport's decision not to ban Sinner

Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios has loudly suggested his belief that Sinner received preferential treatment

'I know exactly as much as you guys know,' said the defending champion in Melbourne. 'We are in a stage where we don't know many, many things.

'I am thinking about it, of course. I would lie if I tell you I forget. It's something what I have with me now already for quite a long time. 

'But it is what it is. I'm here trying to prepare for a Grand Slam.'

Sinner has faced a fair amount of criticism from his fellow professionals, some of whom believe he received preferential treatment as the world No1. 

Nick Kyrgios has been his chief antagonist but, as the Aussie returns to the locker room this fortnight after over two years out with injury, Sinner refused to be drawn into a war of words. 

'I haven't done anything wrong,' he said. 'That's why I'm still here. That's why I'm still playing. 

'I don't want to respond on what Nick said or what other players say.'

Number one seed Sinner is rated a $2.30 chance with bookmakers to win his third career grand slam title.

The Australian Open begins on January 12.