Several tennis players have reacted with anger after world No 1 Jannik Sinner was cleared after twice testing positive for the banned substance clostebol.
Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov and Liam Broady were among the stars to post on social media on Tuesday after the Italian was cleared by an independent tribunal.
An initial test occurred during the Indian Wells tournament in March where Sinner reached the semi-finals and a further sample, conducted out of competition eight days later, also tested positive for the same substance.
Anti-doping body the International Tennis Integrity Agency [ITIA] confirmed Sinner had appealed the results on the basis the substance was accidentally transferred by his physiotherapist.
The Italian will still lose his 400 rankings points from Indian Wells, where the first test took place, as well as his $325,000 prize money.
But rival players have expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome, with Kyrgios describing the situation as “ridiculous”.
He posted on X: “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.”
British player Broady said: “Whether Sinner was doping or not, this is not right. Plenty of players go through the same thing and have to wait months or YEARS for their innocence to be declared. Not a good look.”
Canadian star Shapovalov posted: “Can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now… different rules for different players.”
‘Jannik knew nothing of this’
A statement released on Sinner’s behalf on Tuesday said the violation occurred after Sinner’s fitness trainer purchased a product that was used to care for a cut on the finger of the tennis player’s physiotherapist.
“Jannik knew nothing of this, and his physiotherapist did not know that he was using a product containing clostebol,” the statement read.
“The physiotherapist treated Jannik without gloves and coupled with various skin lesions on Jannik’s body caused the inadvertent contamination.”
The product in question is said to have contained less than a billionth of a gram of the banned substance clostebol.
The Australian Open champion said in a statement: “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s (International Tennis Integrity Agency) anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
An ITIA statement read: “The player explained that the substance had entered their system as a result of contamination from a support team member, who had been applying an over-the-counter spray [available in Italy] containing clostebol to their own skin to treat a small wound. That support team member applied the spray between 5 and 13 March, during which time they also provided daily massages and sports therapy to Sinner, resulting in unknowing transdermal contamination.
“Following consultation with scientific experts, who concluded that the player’s explanation was credible, the ITIA did not oppose the player’s appeals to lift the provisional suspensions.
“A thorough investigation by the ITIA followed, including multiple in-depth interviews with Sinner and their support team, all of whom co-operated fully with the process. Following that investigation, and in line with the independent scientific advice, the ITIA accepted the player’s explanation as to the source of clostebol found in their sample and that the violation was not intentional.”
Karen Moorhouse, ITIA CEO, said: ”We take any positive test extremely seriously and will always apply the rigorous processes set out by WADA. The ITIA carried out a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the positive tests with which Mr Sinner and his representatives fully co-operated.
“Following that investigation, the ITIA accepted the player’s explanation as to the source of the clostebol and that the presence of the substance was not intentional. This was also accepted by the tribunal.
“We thank the independent tribunal for the speed and clarity of its decision in relation to the player’s degree of fault.”
‘This has been a challenging matter’
The Italian twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol
The ATP said in a statement: “We are encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part.
“We would also like to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and independent evaluation of the facts under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (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.”
A WADA spokesperson said: “As we do with all cases, we will review this decision carefully and we reserve the right to take an appeal to CAS, as appropriate.”
Sinner defeated Frances Tiafoe in straight sets to claim the Cincinnati Open title
Sinner, who eclipsed home favourite Frances Tiafoe in straight sets to win the final of the Cincinnati Open on Monday, will now turn his attention to the US Open, which begins on August 26 – live on Sky Sports Tennis.
“Now, for sure, it’s important to recover, to be ready for New York,” he said after his victory in Cincinnati.
“This is our main goal here for this US swing.
“I’m very happy to be in a position where I am and just trying to keep going mentally, having this hunger to keep playing, and hopefully I can show some good tennis also in New York.”
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