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World No.1 tennis player Jannik Sinner expressed immense relief on Friday after narrowly avoiding a doping ban, despite twice testing positive for a banned substance. The 23-year-old Italian star addressed the issue publicly for the first time since the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared him of any wrongdoing earlier in the week. Sinner explained that the banned substance entered his system unintentionally when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut. The substance, identified as clostebol, was then absorbed into his body during subsequent massage and sports therapy sessions.
Sinner case began in March 2024, when he first tested positive for low levels of clostebol during the Indian Wells Masters. A second positive test occurred just eight days later during an out-of-competition screening. As a result, Sinner was stripped of his results, prize money, and the 400 ranking points he had earned at Indian Wells. Despite these penalties, the ITIA confirmed that an independent tribunal found Sinner “bears no fault or negligence” for the violation, clearing his name.
At a press conference ahead of the US Open, Sinner described the months-long investigation as a nerve-wracking ordeal. He firmly rejected any suggestions that he had received special treatment due to his top ranking in the sport. “No, it’s every player who tests positive that has to go through the same process,” Sinner stated. “There is no shortcut, no different treatment; it’s all the same.”
The reason Sinner was able to continue competing without a lengthy provisional suspension was that his team quickly identified the source of the banned substance. His physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, had used the spray. which had been provided by Sinner’s trainer, Umberto Ferrara. Both Naldi and Ferrara were integral to Sinner’s rise in the tennis world, contributing to his success over the past two years. However, due to the gravity of the situation and the mistakes that were made, Sinner has since decided to sever ties with both men, citing a loss of confidence.
I want to start by saying they have been a huge part of my career,” Sinner said. “We worked together for two years, achieved incredible success, and had a great team behind me. But now, because of these mistakes, I’m not confident enough to continue with them. The only thing I need right now is some clean air. I was struggling a lot in the last months, waiting for the result, and now I just need some clean air.”
Sinner acknowledged the frustration that many athletes feel when they are subjected to lengthy provisional suspensions during doping investigations. “I understand the frustration,” he said. “But maybe the reason they got suspended is they didn’t know exactly where the substance came from or how it entered their system.” In Sinner’s case, his team knew immediately that the spray was the culprit. “Ferrara knew straightaway that it was his spray,” Sinner explained. “Knowing that, and knowing how it ended up in my system, we went straight back to the authorities, explained everything, and that’s why I had the chance to keep playing.”
Although he was able to avoid a long suspension, Sinner revealed that he was suspended for several days during the investigation, during which time he could not practice. As the months dragged on, the uncertainty weighed heavily on him, despite his confidence that he would be exonerated. “Of course I was worried because it was the first time for me and hopefully the last time that I am in this situation,” he said. “I’m just happy that it’s finally out… It’s something I was waiting for, and now it’s out, and that’s it.”
Everyone is satisfied with the resolution of the case. Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios took to social media, calling the lack of a suspension “ridiculous.” Kyrgios’s post on X (formerly Twitter) echoed the concerns of many who feel that the handling of doping cases in tennis can be inconsistent. On the other hand, American player Frances Tiafoe, who was defeated by Sinner in the final at Cincinnati just before the ITIA announcement, declined to comment on the controversy.
As Sinner moves forward, he is focused on leaving this episode behind him. I’m just happy that it’s finally over,” he said. “It was a tough experience, but now it’s out of the way, and I can focus on my career again.” With the US Open on the horizon, Sinner is eager to return to the court with a clear mind and a renewed sense of purpose.
Jannik Sinner Case Dividing Tennis with Lack of Transparency at its Core
Jannik Sinner’s journey on the clay courts of the Madrid Open began on Saturday, April 20. By then, despite the rankings not yet showing it, Sinner was widely regarded as the best player in the world. He had claimed his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and continued with an exceptional run of consistent performances. As he prepared for Madrid, much of the pre-tournament buzz centered around his budding rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz, a showdown many believe will shape the future of men’s tennis.
what was known only to Sinner, his team, and the anti-doping authorities at that time was that he had been under an automatic provisional suspension. This suspension, imposed after he twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March, prevented him from entering the tournament grounds or any official courts until the day of his first training session in Madrid. This information was kept under wraps until this week when the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and Sinner team revealed that the 23-year-old was found to bear no fault or negligence for the presence of clostebol in his samples.
The situation is particularly striking not only because the world’s No. 1 men’s tennis player tested positive for a banned substance twice, but also because of the silence that surrounded it. Typically, in such cases, an athlete is publicly notified of a failed test and placed under a provisional suspension while awaiting a ruling from an independent tribunal.
In Sinner’s case, however, he was notified of his first positive test on April 4, just days after winning the Miami Open. He immediately filed an urgent application to lift the provisional suspension. which was granted the next day, allowing the matter to remain private until the recent public disclosure.
Why Jannik Sinner Avoided Arugs Ban Despite World No.1 Failing Two Tests and Fined £250k
Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1 in tennis, has managed to avoid a ban despite testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol during the Indian Wells Open in March, where he reached the semi-finals before losing to Carlos Alcaraz. The 23-year-old Italian’s positive test was linked to a healing spray used by his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, to treat a cut. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) moved swiftly to clarify their decision, ultimately accepting Sinner’s explanation that the exposure was unintentional.
An unintentional doping violation could result in a two-year suspension. the ITIA ruled that Sinner bore no fault or negligence” for the positive tests. An independent panel found that the amount of Clostebol in his system was minuscule, reportedly less than a billionth of a gram, and deemed too small to have any performance and effects. Clostebol, while on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances, is commonly found in medical products used to treat swelling, irritation, muscle wasting diseases, and certain types of anemia.
Following the positive test, Sinner was immediately placed under a provisional suspension. However, he challenged the ruling, and the ban was overturned. In a statement released after being cleared, Sinner expressed his determination to move past the ordeal, stating, “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping program. I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
Sinner failed tests came just six weeks after his first Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open, marking a significant milestone in his career. During the ITIA investigation, he also reached the semi-finals of the French Open, once again losing to Alcaraz. Despite these challenges, Sinner’s ascent to the top of the rankings was confirmed, especially after Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from Roland Garros. However, Sinner will lose the ranking points from his run at Indian Wells, which could impact his position as world No. 1.
As the US Open approaches, where Sinner will be the top seed, tennis officials are likely relieved that another potential doping scandal has been avoided. The sport has been grappling with such issues, most recently when Simona Halep had her four-year doping ban reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after testing positive for roxadustat, an anti-anemia drug, at the 2022 US Open.
Jannik Sinner: Achievements Early life and Background
- Unranked to begin 2018, ended 2020 as No. 1 teenager and broke into Top 10 at age 20 in 2021, before becoming the 1st Italian World No. 1 in PIF ATP Rankings history in June 2024.
- At 2024 Australian Open, defeated 10-time champion Djokovic in SF and rallied from two sets down in final against Medvedev to win his 1st Grand Slam title. Became 1st player to beat Djokovic in SF or later at the tournament.
- Earned personal-best 64 wins in 2023, setting the record for most wins by an Italian player in a single season in Open Era, highlighted by first ATP Masters 1000 title at Toronto.
- Won 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals title on home soil in Milan, then reached 2023 Nitto ATP Finals championship match in Turin.
- As 19-year-old in 2021, became 1st teenager to win an ATP 500 title at Washington and 1st Italian finalist in tournament history of ATP Masters 1000 Miami (since 1985).
- After reaching Miami finals in 2021 and 2023, won his 2nd ATP Masters 1000 title at 2024 Miami, becoming the first Italian with multiple ATP Masters 1000 titles.
- Reached QFs of all 4 Grand Slam events by 21 years of age, including 2022 Wimbledon (l. to eventual champion Djokovic in QF after holding 2-set lead), 2022 US Open QF (l. to eventual champion Alcaraz after holding 1 MP) and 2020 Roland Garros QF in his tournament debut (l. to eventual champion Nadal).
- Later reached 1st Grand Slam SF at 2023 Wimbledon and 1st final and title at 2024 Australian Open.