What's the difference between Maria Sharapova and Jannik Sinner's doping controversies? All you need to know
Jannik Sinner's 2024 Cincinnati Masters title win was overshadowed by his doping controversy. The Italian star posted a message on his social media admitting that he failed two drug tests in March, but has since been cleared of any wrongdoings by the Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
Sinner failed two drug tests in March, testing positive both times for the banned substance clostebol. The 23-year-old was banned for a few weeks but this news came to light in August after the Italian was cleared by the ITIA and declared not guilty of any doping charges. Sinner did however lose his ranking points and the prize money from the Cincinnati Masters win.
According to Sinner's social media post, the Italian was unaware that clostebol was present in his body. Sinner's fitness trainer brought the product containing clostebol from a local pharmacy to cure a cut on his finger. The substance was then unknowingly transferred to Sinner when his physiotherapist massaged the Italian without wearing gloves.
In the recent past, top tennis stars like Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep have had to undergo public trials after their doping controversies were released to the public early. In 2016, Sharapova announced a press conference to announce that she had tested positive for a banned substance, mildronate, during the Australian Open. The Russian was subsequently banned for two years from tennis, affecting her career.
There has been a big difference between the handling of both the Sinner and Sharapova cases by the ITIA. Sharapova's case was in the public eye and the details were released the moment the Russian failed her drug test.
Meanwhile, Halep was suspended for two years after she tested positive for the same substance as Sinner. The former World No. 1 went through a difficult time, facing a lot of mental and physical pressure. Sinner not experiencing the same punishment as Halep has raised some questions about the issue.
Sinner's coach Darren Cahill has since offered an explanation regarding these questions. According to Cahill, Sinner had no idea that he used a banned substance and was therefore cleared by the ITIA. He further said that the decision was made quickly as all the facts were available to the committee.
"With Jannik's case, they knew exactly where it came from. Within five minutes, they knew this could be the only possible place that it came from. So, they were pretty quick to get the sports resolutions, to get that temporary ban lifted," Cahill said.
However, there is still a big difference between the handling of Sharapova's and Sinner's cases. The Russian arranged a press conference to clear the air after she tested positive for a banned drug, meldonium in March 2016. In July 2016, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced that the Russian will be banned for two years after she failed to win the case, which was heard by a three-person tribunal of the ITF. The Russain later appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where her suspension was reduced to 15 months.
Meanwhile, Sinner's doping case came to light only after the final decision was made, and he did not have to experience a media trial like the one Sharapova did.
Following the ITIA's decision to release Sinner of any wrongdoing, some current tennis stars have voiced their opinion against it and felt that the Italian was let off the hook.
Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov speak out against Jannik Sinner decision
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios was one of the first professional players to speak against Jannik Sinner's exoneration. The Aussie took to X (formerly Twitter) and said players should be banned regardless of whether the use of banned substances is intentional or not:
"Ridiculous - whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…. Yeah nice," Nick Kyrgios tweeted.
Canadian star Denis Shapovalov also took to X and criticized the handling of Sinner's case. The Canadian said he sympathized with those players who had faced doping bans:
"Can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now. Different rules for different players," the Canadian posted on Twitter.
Jannik Sinner will be keen to move past this doping controversy as he prepares himself for the US Open. The Italian will start the US Open as the top seed and as one of the favorites to win his maiden title in New York.