Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner has faced scrutiny after testing positive twice for a banned anabolic steroid in March, leading to the forfeiture of his prize money and ranking points from a tournament in Indian Wells, California. However, he will not face suspension as an independent tribunal concluded that the violation was unintentional.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced the findings on Tuesday. Sinner, fresh off his victory at the Cincinnati Open, is expected to be a key contender in the upcoming U.S. Open set to begin next week in New York. The Italian player recently ascended to the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings in June and is recognized as one of the brightest stars in men’s tennis alongside fellow young talent Carlos Alcaraz.
Having recently celebrated his 23rd birthday, Sinner achieved his first Grand Slam title by winning the Australian Open in January. He also reached the semifinals at the French Open and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, although he missed the Paris Olympics due to tonsillitis.
The positive tests for the anabolic steroid Clostebol occurred during the Indian Wells tournament, where Sinner recorded low levels of the banned substance, known for its usage in eye and skin treatments. Just a week later, he tested positive again in an out-of-competition check.
In a statement to CBS News, Sinner’s team indicated that the trace amounts of the substance were due to an over-the-counter Italian product purchased by his fitness trainer, intended for treating a small injury. The physiotherapist reportedly was unaware that the product contained Clostebol, and Sinner had been treated without gloves, leading to accidental contamination from existing skin lesions.
The ITIA accepted Sinner’s explanation and ruled that there was no intention to violate anti-doping regulations. An independent panel held a hearing on August 15 and determined that Sinner bore “No Fault or Negligence” in this case, resulting in no suspension.
Despite the ruling, Sinner still lost ranking points from the Indian Wells event due to the positive tests. In light of the situation, Sinner expressed his desire to move forward, stating, “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping program, and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”