Jannik Sinner Cleared Of Wrongdoing After Failing Two Anti-Doping Tests
Jannik Sinner tested positive for a prohibited substance in two separate anti-doping tests. Still, an independent tribunal cleared him of any wrongdoing after it was determined that his physiotherapist had contaminated the world No. 1 during massage therapy. Sinner says he now plans to put the "miserable period" behind him.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has been cleared of wrongdoing after failing two anti-doping tests due to being contaminated by his physiotherapist.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed that an independent tribunal has found the Italian to bear “no fault or negligence” for the violations after he twice tested positive for clostebol.
Clostebol is a type of performance-enhancing steroid which is prohibited under Section S1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
Sinner provided a sample at Indian Wells in March which contained low levels of clostebol, while a further sample eight days later also contained the substance.
Neither of Sinner’s positive tests had previously been published by the ITIA, which has confirmed provisional suspensions were applied in line with World Anti-Doping Code policy.
The Italian successfully appealed the suspensions which enabled him to continue playing. A statement from the ITIA explained how the issue came about.
It read: “The player explained that the substance had entered their system as a result of contamination from a support team member, who had been applying an over-the-counter spray (available in Italy) containing clostebol to their skin to treat a small wound.
“That support team member applied the spray between 5 and 13 March, during which time they also provided daily massages and sports therapy to Sinner, resulting in unknown transdermal contamination.
“Following consultation with scientific experts, who concluded that the player’s explanation was credible, the ITIA did not oppose the player’s appeals to lift the provisional suspensions.
“A thorough investigation by the ITIA followed, including multiple in-depth interviews with Sinner and their support team, all of whom co-operated fully with the process.
“Following that investigation, and in line with the independent scientific advice, the ITIA accepted the player’s explanation as to the source of clostebol found in their sample and that the violation was not intentional.“
Sinner has acknowledged the importance of strict anti-doping rules and is happy the issue has been resolved.
“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,“ he said in a statement.
“I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their compliance.“
Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov and Liam Broady are amongst the players who have criticised the process which led to Jannik Sinner avoiding a ban for two failed drug tests. Italy’s world No. 1 was cleared of wrongdoing after testing positive for low traces of an anabolic steroid, which is said to have come from his physio. Others have defended the ruling and Sinner.
Nick Kyrgios has led criticism of a decision to clear Jannik Sinner of wrongdoing following two failed drugs tests, while others have defended the process followed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
Kyrgios questioned the ruling, writing on X: “Whether it was accidental or planned. If you get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance, you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced."
Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov, currently ranked 105 in the world, said he “can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now” before claiming there are “different rules for different players”.
Britain’s Liam Broady said “Plenty of players go through the same thing and have to wait months or years for their innocence to be declared”, referencing the fact that Sinner was allowed to play on, while others have not been.
'HE DOESN'T DESERVE THIS' - SINNER'S COACH CAHILL
Sinner's current lead coach is Darren Cahill, and the Australian shared his views on the situation.
"He [Sinner] is a great kid, he's incredibly professional - he's maybe the most professional young man that I've ever had the chance to work with," Cahill told ESPN.
"He would never, ever intentionally do anything and he's in an incredibly unfortunate situation. The truth came out - there's no fault, no negligence, and hopefully, he can get this behind him now, continue to play and get better.
"I feel really bad for him because he doesn't deserve this. It stayed quiet because we believed he was innocent and there was no fault.
"We were all interviewed, even last week. Jannik was on a call for six and a half hours with sports resolutions, a lot was riding on the fact that if this got out without context, this was not great either.
"We've been living this for the last few months. It's been difficult for him and I take my hat off that he's been able to post some of the results that he has, but there have been days where you can see that physically and emotionally he's been challenged on the court."
