World number one tennis player Jannik Sinner has been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for a banned substance in March during the Indian Wells tournament.
The Italian star tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol, a steroid commonly used to build muscle mass.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that a provisional suspension was automatically applied following the positive tests. However, Sinner successfully challenged the suspension, allowing him to continue competing.
The ITIA’s investigation revealed that the contamination occurred inadvertently through Sinner’s physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi. Naldi had been using an over-the-counter spray, available in Italy, on a cut on his own hand before treating Sinner. The ITIA accepted this explanation and concluded that the violation was unintentional.
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Despite being cleared of any fault or negligence by an independent tribunal, Sinner will lose the ranking points and prize money he earned from his semi-final run at Indian Wells.
In a statement, the Italian expressed relief at putting the challenging period behind him, saying, “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme. I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
He is also the reigning Australian Open champion, will now turn his focus to the upcoming US Open, where he will enter as the top seed.
