Jannik Sinner tested positive for Clostebol after the Indian Wells tournament, but a long and careful investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency has ascertained that there is no “fault” or “negligence” on the part of the Italian tennis player, currently number one in the world: the Itia has fully accepted the defense thesis of Sinner’s staff, according to which the contamination (with a very low concentration of the anabolic metabolite in the urine) was completely involuntary and due to an over-the-counter spray, available in Italy, used to treat a small wound.
Sinner will play the US Open regularlywhile – in line with the rules – he was still deprived of the 400 points from the semi-final and the prizes he earned in the American tournament.
“In April,” the staff press release reads, “Jannik Sinner was informed that he had tested positive for a trace amount of a metabolite of the substance Clostebol (less than a billionth of a gram).
After a thorough and extensive investigation, ITIA and Jannik discovered that the accidental contamination with Clostebol occurred as a result of treatment received from his physical therapist. His athletic trainer purchased a product, readily available without a prescription at any Italian pharmacy, which he gave to Jannik’s physical therapist to treat a cut on the therapist’s finger. Jannik did not know about it, and his physical therapist did not know that he was using a product containing Clostebol.
The physiotherapist treated Jannik without gloves and, together with the various skin lesions present on Jannik’s body, caused the accidental contamination.
Jannik has cooperated fully with the ITIA investigation from the beginning. The ITIA is fighting misconduct in sport and doping in particular. Its rules and processes are exceptionally rigorous and, after a forensic investigation and an independent hearing, the Independent Tribunal has decided that Jannik is innocent. He is not at fault. However, given the strict liability nature of anti-doping rules, he accepts forfeiture of tournament points from Indian Wells, where the test was taken. Jannik Sinner recognises the importance of the ITIA’s rigorous anti-doping rules in protecting the sport he loves.
“I will now put this difficult and deeply unfortunate period behind me. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that I always comply with the ITIA anti-doping program and I have a team around me who are meticulous in their own respect of the rules.”
Jannik’s attorney, Jamie Singer of Onside Law, commented: ‘Anti-doping rules have to be very stringent to be effective. Unfortunately, the unfortunate consequence is that, occasionally, completely innocent athletes get implicated. There is no doubt that Jannik is innocent in this case. The ITIA has not challenged that key principle. However, under strict liability rules, Jannik is liable for everything in his system, even when he is totally unaware, as in this exceptional case.’
This matter – the statement concludes – is now closed and Jannik Sinner is ready to focus on the rest of his season”.