World No. 1 Jannik Sinner played down the chatter around his doping case, saying he was “treated like everyone else” after a section of the tennis fraternity alleged double standards in the way the global bodies and authorities handled the issue. Sinner acknowledged that he had the resources to put together a team of qualified people to deal with the doping case, which has created a stir in the tennis community in the lead-up to the US Open.
Some notable names in tennis, including Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov, hinted at preferential treatment for Sinner after the Australian Open champion escaped sanctions despite testing positive twice for a banned substance in March 2024. Sinner tested positive for Clostebol — a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid that is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) — during the Indian Wells tournament. Sinner’s positive test was followed by another positive out-of-competition sample eight days later. He was provisionally suspended but successfully appealed, allowing him to continue competing on tour. The swift action taken by Sinner’s team after the two positive tests helped the young Italian avoid bigger sanctions.
SINNER’S DOPING CASE: EXPLAINED
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which investigated the doping case and held a hearing in August, accepted Sinner’s explanation that the banned substance entered his body unintentionally when he was given a massage by his physiotherapist, who had used a spray with Clostebol. The ITIA concluded that the doping violation was not intentional, resulting in no period of ineligibility.
“It’s also in the position where you are. Obviously, being where I am, I have the ability to take qualified people. Obviously, if this happens to a different player, it’s going to be different, but again, I was treated like everyone else,” Jannik Sinner told ESPN ahead of US Open 2024.
“The reason why I kept playing is because we (the team) knew exactly how it (the banned substance) entered my system and where this clostebol was from, no? And this was in the spray. All things considered, I have not had any different treatment,” he added.
‘HOPE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND…’
Sinner explained how the last few months were taxing for him as he awaited the judgement in his doping case. The numero uno of men’s singles tennis urged people to understand why he was allowed to continue playing on the tour despite the positive tests.
Sinner said he is looking forward to focusing on the job at hand as he begins his bid to win his maiden US Open crown.
“The process was very long. It was an even bigger wait towards the end, because when you feel like, ‘okay, the result is coming’, you still don’t know what’s coming out, but it was not an easy period for me,” Sinner said.
“It has been a very tough time. It has been a doubtful time. I am happy that this finally is over, so a lot of weight on my shoulders is gone. I wish none of the players have to go through this. I also hope people understand why they let me keep playing and why I got the no fault,” he added.
Sinner is heading into the US Open after having won the Cincinnati Masters. He will open his campaign against Mackenzie McDonald at the Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, August 27.