Tennis world number one Jannik Sinner has been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for a banned substance earlier this season, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Italian provided a sample during the Indian Wells Masters on March 10, 2024, which contained low levels of a metabolite of clostebol, an anabolic agent prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). A further out-of-competition sample taken eight days later also tested positive for the same substance.
An independent tribunal convened by Sport Resolutions ruled that Sinner bore “No Fault or Negligence” for the two Anti-Doping Rule Violations under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP). The ITIA stated, “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 containing clostebol to their own skin to treat a small wound.”
The support team member used the spray between March 5-13, during which time they provided daily massages and sports therapy to Sinner, leading to inadvertent contamination.
Despite being cleared of intentional wrongdoing, Sinner will forfeit his results, prize money, and the 400 ranking points earned at Indian Wells, in accordance with anti-doping regulations.
“Integrity is paramount”
Sinner expressed relief at the outcome, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “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 anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
However, the decision has sparked reactions from fellow players. Australian Nick Kyrgios commented on X, “Ridiculous—whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned substance… you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream… Yeah nice.”
Canadian Denis Shapovalov added, “Can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now.”
The positive tests were not initially made public during the ITIA’s investigation. While provisional suspensions were applied to Sinner, he successfully appealed them, allowing him to continue competing.
ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse stated, “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.”
The ATP, the governing body of men’s professional tennis, supported Sinner and the investigation process. In a statement, the ATP said, “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.”
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Sinner cleared of wrongdoing after failing anti-doping tests
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