Tennis star Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol around the ATP tournament in Indian Wells in March. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced this on Tuesday.
However, the world number one is not facing a ban. Instead, he was acquitted.
As the ITIA reported, an independent investigation concluded that the 23-year-old Italian did not dope intentionally or negligently. Instead, he was treated by a physiotherapist who had previously used an ointment containing clostebol on a wound on his hand. This resulted in “unwitting transdermal contamination,” it said.
Sinner still has to face the consequences: the points he earned in Indian Wells were taken away from him, as was the prize money. Sinner was eliminated in the semifinals against Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner himself shared a statement on the matter on social media. “I will now put this difficult and very unfortunate time behind me,” he said. “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that I comply with the ITIA anti-doping program and I have a team around me that follows the regulations to the letter.”
Tennis: ATP calls result “encouraging”
According to the ITIA, the first positive doping test occurred during the tournament, followed by a second one a few days later during an in-competition test. At the time, Sinner was given a provisional ban – in both cases he successfully appealed.
“We are encouraged that Jannik Sinner could not be accused of any fault or negligence,” the ATP said. They acknowledged the “independent assessment of the facts within the framework of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP)”, which enabled the professional to “continue to compete”.
According to the ITIA, the final decision in the Sinner case was made at a hearing on August 15, “where the independent tribunal found that there was no fault or negligence in the case, which did not result in a suspension.”
Tennis star Jannik Sinner cooperated “unconditionally”
“We take every positive test extremely seriously and will always apply the strict procedures of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency, ed.). The ITIA has conducted a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the positive tests, in which Mr. Sinner and his representatives cooperated fully,” said ITIA head Karen Moorhouse. “Following this investigation, the ITIA accepted the player’s explanation. This was also accepted by the court.”
WADA and the Italian Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia) may appeal the decision.
Source: www.sport.de
