ATP Tour. Jannik Sinner doped? There is a test, no penalty

Jannik Sinner – the first Italian leader of the ATP rankings had a positive result in two anti-doping tests, however, as The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) reported today, the Italian was found innocent and will not be punished. We inform you about the reasons for this decision in the text below.

In March 2024, the 23-year-old tennis player was twice found to have the banned substance clostebol in his system. According to the ITIA statement, Sinner will not face any consequences for this, as he is not to blame for the above situation.

The first sample was taken from the Italian on March 10 during the tournament in Indian Wells. The second sample was taken eight days later. Both came back positive, and both contained traces of a banned substance. Clostebol is an anabolic steroid that has long been banned in world sports, and its use carries severe penalties.

Revealing the use of this substance results in an immediate suspension. However, the athlete has the right to ask an independent tribunal to suspend the implementation of this remedy. In Sinner’s case, this sanction was applied after both samples were taken and found to be positive. However, the Italian appealed in both cases and the preventive measure, which is the suspension, was lifted. Sinner was still able to compete.

Jannik explained that the product, available in Italy without a prescription and containing a steroid, entered his body through contact with one of his staff members, responsible for performing massages. The masseur was supposed to use the Italian spray (with clostebol) between March 5 and 13 to heal a small wound. Sinner explained that this is how trace amounts of the anabolic steroid entered his body.

After consultation with medical experts, ITIA agreed to lift the temporary suspension.

Then, ITIA controllers conducted an investigation, including detailed explanations from the athlete and his team, and sought the opinion of experts in this area. In the next step, ITIA referred the case to an independent sports tribunal for consideration. On August 15, 2024, a hearing was held at which it was ruled that the athlete was not at fault and had not neglected his duties in this regard.

At the same time, it was decided that Sinner’s results achieved during the tournament in Indian Wells would be annulled, the points won would be taken away, and the player himself would have to return the financial bonus he had won. For the Italian, this means the loss of 400 ranking points and $325,000 won in California.

The right to appeal this decision is held by WADA, the World Anti-Doping Organization, and NADO, the Italian Anti-Doping Organization. As of now, there is no position from these bodies on this matter.

Karen Moorhouse, CEO of ITIA, commented on the situation:

“We take any positive test result extremely seriously and will always follow the rigorous processes set out by WADA. The ITIA conducted a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the positive test, and Mr. Sinner and his representatives cooperated fully.”

However, it is hard not to get the impression that the world ranking leader was treated much more leniently in this matter than, for example, Simona Halep, who was also a protégé of Australian coach Darren Cahill at one time, or the Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak, who was disqualified for 18 months.