Jannik Sinner is eager to move forward and leave behind what he describes as a “challenging and deeply unfortunate period,” following his initial positive test for the banned substance clostebol at the Indian Wells tournament in March. The Italian tennis star won the Cincinnati Open ahead of the upcoming US Open, which starts on Monday and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Sinner’s clearance by an independent tribunal has sparked anger among several tennis players, including Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov, and Liam Broady, who took to social media to voice their frustrations. Sinner initially tested positive during the Indian Wells tournament, where he reached the semi-finals; a follow-up test conducted eight days later also confirmed the presence of clostebol.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that Sinner appealed the results, asserting that the substance entered his system accidentally via his physiotherapist, who used a contaminated product. This situation resulted in Sinner losing 400 ranking points from Indian Wells and his $325,000 prize money. Despite his clearance, rival players expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, with Kyrgios labeling it “ridiculous.”
Kyrgios tweeted, “Whether it was accidental or planned, you get tested twice with a banned substance… you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced.” Broady echoed this sentiment, stating, “Regardless of whether Sinner was doping, this is not right. Many players endure lengthy waits for their innocence to be recognized.” Shapovalov added, “I can’t imagine how other players who have been banned for contaminated substances feel right now… it seems there are different rules for different players.”
In a statement released on Sinner’s behalf, it was explained that the violation stemmed from his fitness trainer purchasing a product used to treat a cut on the physiotherapist’s finger. The statement clarified, “Jannik knew nothing of this, and his physiotherapist was unaware that he was using a product containing clostebol.”
The contaminated product was said to have contained less than a billionth of a gram of clostebol. Sinner remarked, “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me. I will continue to do everything to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping program, supported by a meticulous team.”
The ITIA confirmed that following consultations with scientific experts, Sinner’s explanation was found credible, leading them not to oppose his appeals to lift the provisional suspensions. A thorough investigation included in-depth interviews with Sinner and his support team, who cooperated fully.
Karen Moorhouse, ITIA CEO, stated, “We take positive tests very seriously and applied the rigorous processes defined by WADA. Following a comprehensive investigation, we accepted the player’s explanation regarding the unintentional presence of clostebol.”
The ATP also expressed satisfaction that no fault or negligence was found on Sinner’s part and emphasized the importance of integrity in the sport. A WADA spokesperson noted that they would review the tribunal’s decision and reserve the right to appeal if necessary.
Sinner, who defeated Frances Tiafoe in straight sets to claim victory at the Cincinnati Open, is now focused on preparing for the US Open, which begins on August 26. He expressed his determination, saying, “Now, it’s crucial to recover and be ready for New York. This is our main goal for this US swing. I’m very happy with my position and eager to keep pushing forward mentally, showing good tennis in New York.”
Credit: Sky Sports
