His speech was expected by the entire tennis world. While the US Open begins in three days, world number one Jannik Sinner, who tested positive twice for an anabolic in March, assured that he had nothing to reproach himself for. “Obviously, it’s simply a relief,” the 23-year-old Italian first declared about the ATP’s decision not to suspend him. “Of course, it’s not an ideal situation before the start of a Grand Slam tournament. But deep down, I know that I did nothing wrong,” he added, recalling that he had had to play “for months” with the weight of this investigation on his shoulders and in his head.
“I always respect the anti-doping rules and I will always respect them”
“I kept reminding myself that I really didn’t do anything wrong. I always respect the anti-doping rules and I always will.” Jannik Sinner tested positive for doping twice in March 2024, eight days apart: on March 10 during the Indian Wells tournament and on March 18 out of competition but just before the Miami tournament. Trace amounts of clostebol (an anabolic) were found in his urine.
The Italian defended himself by explaining that he had been “contaminated by a member of his staff, who had applied an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol to his own hand to treat a small injury”, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (Itia), which accepted his defense and officially cleared him on Tuesday.
The player simply lost the ATP points and prize money from the tournament during which the positive test was recorded.
