Jannik Sinner, the current ATP World No. 1, has been given a clear chit by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for failing two anti-doping tests earlier in the year. A prohibited substance called clostebol was found in Sinner’s system while he was competing at the Indian Wells Masters in March. A week later, another test was conducted, and he tested positive for the substance once again.
Sinner had appealed against the ruling and the provisional suspension by the ITIA. Following this, an independent investigation regarding the matter was conducted by the Sports Resolutions. The Italian was allowed to play, and the news of him testing positive was not made public. It is only now, five months after the incident happened, that we’re hearing about it for the first time.
How Jannik Sinner failed two dope tests
However, Sinner won’t go unpunished. The Australian Open champion will lose all the points (400) and prize money ($320,000) from Indian Wells. According to the investigation conducted, Sinner’s physiotherapist had unknowingly transferred the banned substance to the player. His physio used a spray that contained the banned substance to treat a cut and then treated Sinner, which spread the clostebol into his system.
“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 programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance,” Sinner said in a statement.