Jannik Sinner, the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, is set to compete in the upcoming U.S. Open in New York, despite recently emerging reports that he tested positive twice in March for a prohibited anabolic steroid. This news, which came to light on Tuesday, has raised numerous questions and some criticism from fellow athletes who are concerned about potential favoritism due to Sinner’s rising success. They are puzzled as to why the case remained hidden for so long and are questioning the decision that allowed him to continue competing prior to a resolution.
In a statement shared on social media, Sinner expressed, “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I remain compliant with the sport’s anti-doping program, with a meticulous team supporting my compliance.”
However, not all players are ready to move past this issue. The scrutiny Sinner faces during this year’s final Grand Slam tournament, where he is the top seed, will be closely watched by fellow athletes, fans, and the media. Denis Shapovalov, a semifinalist at Wimbledon in 2021, voiced his concern on social media, stating there appear to be “different rules for different players.”
Sinner, a 23-year-old Italian, ascended to the No. 1 position in the ATP rankings in June and is seen as one of the leading figures emerging from the next generation of male tennis talent following the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. He claimed his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, where he defeated Djokovic in the semifinals and rallied from two sets down to win against Daniil Medvedev in the final. With a record of 48 wins and five losses this season, he has secured five tour titles, including the most recent at the Cincinnati Open.
The anabolic steroid Sinner tested positive for, Clostebol, can be found in over-the-counter ointments in various countries, including Italy, where it is used for treating cuts or scrapes. Clostebol is classified as a performance-enhancing substance and has led to the suspension of several athletes across sports, notably San Diego Padres player Fernando Tatis Jr., who received an 80-game ban in 2022.
During the Indian Wells tournament in March, Sinner submitted a urine sample that tested positive for Clostebol. An out-of-competition sample taken shortly thereafter also returned a positive result. Although he faced provisional suspension, Sinner appealed the decision, claiming that he was unwittingly exposed to the substance. He contended that a team member had purchased a spray containing Clostebol, which was then used by a physiotherapist before providing him a massage, leading to the inadvertent transmission of the steroid.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and an independent tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation and determined that he was not negligent or at fault. While he faced no formal suspension, he was required to forfeit $325,000 in prize money and 400 ranking points due to the positive test during the tournament.
Reactions from other players have been mixed. Some, like Nick Kyrgios, have labeled the situation “ridiculous,” advocating for a ban. Others, including Tennys Sandgren, found Sinner’s explanation plausible but remarked that the handling of the situation appears unjust compared to other athletes who faced harsher penalties for different infractions.
Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion and now an analyst for ESPN, commented on the situation, suggesting a pattern of protecting top players by keeping details under wraps, contrasting how less prominent athletes might be treated.