Daria Kasatkina believes Jannik Sinner's innocence in doping saga, but wonders why Italians 'keep getting caught' with the same drug
Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina has called Jannik Sinner innocent following the Italian's recent drug test controversy. However, the 27-year-old was stumped at why Italian players continue to test positive for the same substance found in Sinner's system.
Sinner tested positive for the banned substance Clostebol during his BNP Paribas Open campaign in March. While he was provisionally suspended, the Italian explained that the substance entered his system through treatment from his physiotherapist.
Following an investigation, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) overturned the decision, deeming the substance in Sinner's system negligible. As a result, World No. 1 was cleared to compete, and putting the controversy behind, he claimed his second major title at the US Open.
Several tennis figures, including Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov, criticized the verdict, claiming Sinner received preferential treatment while players like Simona Halep were banned from competing. However, others, including Rafael Nadal, supported the ITIA’s decision.
Daria Kasatkina also defended Sinner recently, calling him innocent. In an interview with TNNS, the Russian was asked if there were double standards in Jannik Sinner's doping verdict. In response, Kasatkina highlighted that Sinner had top lawyers, who ultimately secured a favorable verdict for him.
"That part, you asked if I believed he was innocent and I do. Double standards [pauses] Jannik is able to hire the best lawyers...people who will have it all figured out. That's undoubtedly his advantage. I have an Italian coach and he knows other incidents that we are not aware of," she said (at 2:33).
The 27-year-old then claimed there had been a case involving two Italian players who were caught with the same drug. The male player "provided proof " and was allowed to compete, while the female player couldn't explain her situation and faced consequences.
She said,
"There were two more players from Italy, female and male, who were caught with the same drug. The girl didn't get away because she didn't know where she had gotten it from...The dose, the drug yeah. I can't remember the names, I don't know those people. And the guy did know, and in the course of 24 days he provided proof. And he continued playing, so that was a similar case."
Moreover, Kasatkina said she didn't know why Italian players "get caught with the same thing."
"On the other hand I don't get why they keep getting caught with the same thing in Italy. That I don't know, but I do believe it's possible because to get caught like that is really silly," she added.
Jannik Sinner announces new members of his team following controversy
According to the sequence of events outlined in Jannik Sinner's defense, his fitness trainer at the time, Umberto Ferrara, purchased a spray containing Clostebol and gave it to Naldi to treat a cut on his finger. Naldi then massaged Sinner without wearing gloves, allowing the substance to enter the Italian's bloodstream. It was later reported that Sinner had parted ways with both Ferrara and Naldi. Sinner confirmed the same in a press conference before the US Open.
Recently, the two-time Major champion welcomed Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio have joined his team in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Sinner wrote,
"Welcome to the team Marco and Ulises" [translated]
Panichi and Badio are expected to accompany Sinner to the upcoming ATP tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai.