The Italian tennis star, world number 1, tested positive last March.
A bolt from the blue in the tennis world! Jannik Sinnerworld number 1, escaped a very heavy suspension after a positive test in March during the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells. The anabolic steroid Clostebol, banned from use, was found in the Italian player’s urine. Two tests came back positive in mid-March, during and after the tournament in the United States. The ITIA explains that the player immediately appealed, and got away with it without a suspension.
“The substance had entered his body following contamination by a member of staff, who had applied an over-the-counter spray (available in Italy) containing clostebol to his own skin to treat a minor wound. This member of staff applied the spray between 5 and 13 March, during which time he also provided daily massages and sports therapy to Sinner, which led to transdermal contamination without his knowledge.” explains the press release.
Despite this reason, why was Jannik Sinner not suspended? A small trace of less than a billionth of a gram was judged by an independent panel not to have had a performance-enhancing effect. The Italian was therefore able to escape without a suspension, but with damages. The player lost his points earned at the California tournament, as well as his prize money. “We take any positive test very seriously and will always apply the rigorous procedures established by WADA. The ITIA conducted a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the positive tests, with which Mr Sinner and his representatives cooperated fully,” said Karen MoorhouseDirector General of ITIA.
Sinner’s reaction
In a statement, Jannik Sinner spoke about the story. “I will now put this difficult and deeply unfortunate time behind me. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that I continue to comply with the ITIA anti-doping program and I have a team around me who are meticulous in their own compliance.”
“Anti-doping rules must be very strict to be effective. Unfortunately, sometimes completely innocent athletes get caught out by these rules. There is no doubt that Jannik is innocent in this case. The ITIA has not challenged this essential principle. However, under the rules of strict liability, Jannik is responsible for everything that is in his system, even if he is not aware of it, as in this exceptional case,” added the player’s lawyer.