Maria Sharapova posing with Jannik Sinner in 2023 goes viral amid the Italian's 'no fault' doping test, years after the former's suspension
An image of Jannik Sinner and Maria Sharapova has resurfaced on the internet amid controversy involving the World No. 1. He failed two anti-doping tests in March, but was cleared of any wrongdoing and avoided suspension.
Sinner tested positive for trace amounts of the banned substance, clostebol, a steroid that is derived from testosterone. Less than a billionth of a gram was found in his system. He avoided a doping ban as it was found that the positive results were because of contamination through his physiotherapist.
Amid the controversy, a picture of Sinner posing with Sharapova in 2023 has gone viral, pointing at the doping suspenion the latter herself faced. She was provisionally banned from tennis in 2016 after she tested positive at the Australian Open for a drug called Meldonium, which she had been taking for 10 years for health issues. She revealed that she was consuming it under the name Mildronate and was not aware of its different name or that that was listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned substances list.
A netizen shared the picture and referring to the two players' doping scenarios, said:
"Clostebol and Meldonium having fun🥳✨"
After avoiding suspension, Sinner opened up about his experience.
Jannik Sinner opens up about his doping allegations
In a statement, the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) has shared after investigation that Jannik Sinner was not at fault. It said:
"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.”
Sinner said that he will put this period behind him and follow the anti-doping program (via The Guardian):
"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 and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
Sinner recently competed in the ATP 1000 event, the Cincinnati Open in Ohio and won the title on August 20.