Jannik Sinner's Steroid Controversy: What It Means for His Future in Tennis
Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but will not be suspended.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) determined the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist.
The ITIA announced the case's resolution overnight and said Sinner will lose the prize money and 400 rankings points he earned at the tournament in Indian Wells, California, where his first positive drug test happened.
"I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me," Sinner said in a statement posted on social media.
"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 thorough in their own compliance."
Sinner will be among the favourites at the US Open, which starts in New York next week. Sinner made his debut at No. 1 in the ATP rankings in June and is considered among the top stars of the new generation in men's tennis, along with Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner, an Italian who turned 23 last week, won the Australian Open in January for his first Grand Slam title. He reached the semifinals at the French Open in June and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in July, before sitting out the Paris Olympics, saying he had tonsillitis.
The Failed Tests
During the Indian Wells hard-court event in March, Sinner tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid that can be used for ophthalmological and dermatological use.
Sinner tested positive again eight days later in an out-of-competition sample.
He was provisionally suspended because of those test results, but he successfully appealed and was allowed to keep competing on tour.
Sinner said his test results happened because his fitness trainer purchased an over-the-counter spray in Italy that contained Clostebol and gave it to Sinner's physiotherapist to treat a cut on the physiotherapist's finger.
The physiotherapist then treated Sinner while not wearing gloves.
The ITIA said it accepted Sinner's explanation and determined the violation was not intentional.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.