Jannik Sinner drugs controversy: World No. 1 escapes punishment as ITIA clears him despite 2 failed tests, but loses £250,000 in prize money
In a rather shocking development, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has been cleared to play on the ATP Tour by the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) despite him failing two drug tests. What was particularly unusual about the affair was that the tennis world didn't hear a word about the failed tests or the investigation until the ITIA's announcement on Tuesday that Sinner was declared innocent.
The reigning Australian Open champion tested positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, in very small amounts in his urine sample during the Indian Wells Open earlier this year. Sinner reached the semifinals of the tournament before falling to World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.
Usually, athletes get a suspension even if the ingestion of a drug is unintentional. However, the 23-year-old had less than one billionth of a gram in his sample, which was deemed not performance-enhancing by the ITIA.
As for how it entered his system, Sinner argued that it came about because of bare-handed body massages from his physio Giacomo Naldi. Experts brought into the investigation also accepted the World No. 1's argument that Naldi unintentionally exposed Sinner to the steroid through a healing spray.
Announcing the decision of the investigation and the closure of the matter, the ATP Tour put out a statement on social media, saying:
‘We are encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part. We would also like to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and independent evaluation of the facts under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), which has allowed him to continue competing.
"This has been a challenging matter for Jannik and his team, and underscores the need for players and their entourages to take utmost care in the use of products or treatments. Integrity is paramount in our sport.’
Jannik Sinner's lawyer Jamie Singer also professed his client's innocence, emphasizing how the ITIA did not challenge the evidence the Italian and his team submitted.
"Anti-doping rules have to be very strict to be effective. Sadly the unfortunate consequence is that, occasionally, entirely innocent athletes get caught up in them," Singer said, as quoted by The Times.
“There is no question that Jannik is innocent in this case. The ITIA did not challenge that key principle. However, under strict liability rules Jannik is responsible for whatever is in his system, even when entirely unaware of it, as in this exceptional case,” he added.
Regardless, the reigning Australian Open champ has not been let off entirely without penalty. In addition to losing 400 ranking points, the £250,000 prize money he received for reaching the semifinals at Indian Wells has also been taken away from his purse.
However, Sinner is free to play at the US Open next week, where he will join the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev in the hunt for the final Grand Slam of the season.
"I will put this challenging period behind me" - Jannik Sinner
Speaking about the incident, Jannik Sinner said it has been a "challenging" and "unfortunate" period for him and that he will try to move past it as soon as possible.
“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” Sinner said. “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.”
The ITIA decision comes just hours after Sinner's victory at the Cincinnati Open, where he defeated Frances Tiafoe in the final to win his third Masters 1000 title of his career and second ATP 1000 trophy of the year.