Jannik Sinner Avoids Suspension After Failing Steroid Tests Twice
World’s No. 1 Ranked Player Busted for One-Billionth of a Gram at Indian Wells
Dodged a Bullet
Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1 who won the ATP 1000 Cincinnati tournament on Monday, has caught another, um, break. Sinner will not be suspended for testing positive for an anabolic steroid in March at Indian Wells. He tested positive, not once but twice.
The World No. 1 Italian Tennis Superstar Jannik Sinner tested positive for Clostebol in March.
It’s believed he was inadvertently contaminated by his physio after treating a cut with a product that contained less than a BILLIONTH of a gram of the banned substance. pic.twitter.com/MpTdidX0RG
— BetUS Sportsbook & Casino (@BetUS_Official) August 20, 2024
The International Tennis Integrity Agency ruled it “did not oppose the player’s appeals to lift the provisional suspension” and that “the violation was not intentional.”
To give one an idea of how thorough the testing is, the size of the banned trace –- an anabolic steroid named Clostebol – was less than a billionth of a gram.
“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 (program) and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) August 20, 2024
Sinner won’t escape totally unscathed as he loses the $325,000 and 400 points he earned at the California tournament.
Decision on Tennis Star Ripped by Nick Kyrgios
Another player, Nick Kyrgios, blasted the decision.
“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…” Kyrgios tweeted Before finishing with: “Yeah nice,” and a sarcastic eye-rolling emoji.
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 🙄 https://t.co/13qR0F9nH2
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) August 20, 2024
One veteran tennis journalist also questioned the means to the end.
The headline is that Sinner was exonerated…But so many process questions here. (And so many other athletes who would have loved for the details of a positive test to have been suppressed until there was a finding of non-guilt nor negligence….)
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) August 20, 2024
Sinner won the Australian Open, the season’s first major. He will be one of the top contenders at the US Open in New York later this month.
“We are encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part,” the ATP Tour said in a statement. “We would also like to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and independent evaluation of the facts under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (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.”
This gem of a tweet adds to the intrigue and mystery of the decision.
Guess which top ranked tennis player decided to skip the Olympics… pic.twitter.com/x3g9x0ajka
— Zain | Ban Janeedle Dopener. (@ItzzZain10) August 20, 2024
