By World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has been cleared by an independent tribunal after twice testing positive for the banned substance clostebol, a case that has sparked widespread debate in the tennis community. The Italian tennis star first tested positive during the Indian Wells tournament in March, leading to the loss of 400 ranking points and $325,000 in prize money. However, Sinner will not face suspension after the tribunal determined the violation was unintentional.
Sinner, who has recently won the Cincinnati Open, wants to move past this “challenging and deeply unfortunate period” as he prepares for the US Open, which starts on August 26.
The positive tests initially caused an uproar among fellow players, with notable figures like Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov expressing their discontent on social media. Kyrgios called the situation “ridiculous,” while Shapovalov criticized the disparity in treatment compared to other players.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that Sinner’s positive tests were due to accidental contamination from a product used by his physiotherapist, who was treating a wound. The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation, supported by scientific experts, that the substance was not intentionally ingested.
Despite the controversy, Sinner remains focused on his tennis career, aiming to carry his momentum from Cincinnati into the upcoming US Open. The tennis world will be watching closely as the young star looks to solidify his place at the top of the sport.
