Tennis world No1 Jannik Sinner escapes punishment in doping case after TWICE testing positive for banned substance
JANNIK SINNER has escaped punishment from the ATP despite failing doping tests twice.
The world No1 tested positive for a banned substance in March earlier this year.
Tests revealed Sinner, 23, had low levels of a metabolite of clostebol in his system.
Another sample was taken eight days later and also tested positive for the low levels of the same metabolite.
The metabolite is a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass.
Sinner was immediately handed a provisional suspension but was successful in his challenge to continue playing.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency investigated the situation and discovered that his physiotherapist had accidentally contaminated the tennis star.
It was found that the physio had been using an over-the-counter spray on a cut before carrying out treatments on Sinner.
This then resulted in an inadvertent contamination of the star.
The ITIA has agreed to the explanation and insisted that the violation was not Sinner’s intention.
The Italian ace was cleared of fault and negligence by an independent tribunal.
An ATP statement read: “We are encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part.
What has the ITIA said?
She said: “The ITIA carried out a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the positive tests with which Mr Sinner and his representatives fully co-operated.
“Following that investigation, the ITIA accepted the player’s explanation as to the source of the clostebol and that the presence of the substance was not intentional.
“This was also accepted by the tribunal.
“We thank the independent tribunal for the speed and clarity of its decision in relation to the player’s degree of fault.”
“We would also like to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and independent evaluation of the facts under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), which has allowed him to continue competing.
“This has been a challenging matter for Jannik and his team, and underscores the need for players and their entourages to take utmost care in the use of products or treatments.
“Integrity is paramount in our sport.”
Sinner released his own statement on social media following the news that he has been cleared.
It read: “Jannik Sinner cleared of any wrongdoing by Independent Tribunal.
“In April, Jannik Sinner was notified that he had tested positive for a trace element of a metabolite of the substance Clostebol (less than a billionth of a gram).
“Following a thorough and extensive investigation the ITIA and Jannik discovered the inadvertent contamination of Clostebol came through the treatment he received from his physiotherapist.
“His fitness trainer purchased a product, easily available over the counter in any Italian pharmacy, which he gave to Jannik’s physiotherapist to care for a cut on the physiotherapist’s finger.
“Jannik knew nothing of this, and his physiotherapist did not know that he was using a product containing Clostebol.
“The physiotherapist treated Jannik without gloves and coupled with various skin lesions on Jannik’s body caused the inadvertent contamination.
“Jannik has cooperated fully with the ITIA’s investigation from the beginning.
“The ITIA is battling misconduct in sport and doping in particular. Its rules and processes are exceptionally rigorous and following forensic investigation and an independent hearing, the Independent Tribunal have decided that Jannik is innocent.
“He is not at fault. However, given the strict liability nature of the anti-doping rules he accepts that he loses the points from the Indian Wells tournament where the test took place.
“Jannik Sinner acknowledges the importance of the ITIA’s strict anti-doping rules for the protection of the sport he loves.
“This matter is now closed and Jannik Sinner is looking forward to his upcoming rest of the season.”
Sinner also spoke up on the matter and insisted that the period is in the past.
He said: “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me.
“I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
Sinner’s lawyer, Jamie Singer, also claimed that due to the strict rules of anti-doping, sometimes innocent people can get caught up.
He said: “Anti-doping rules have to be very strict to be effective.
“Sadly, the unfortunate consequence is that, occasionally, entirely innocent athletes get caught up in them.
“There is no question that Jannik is innocent in this case. The ITIA did not challenge that key principle.
“However, under strict liability rules Jannik is responsible for whatever is in his system, even when entirely unaware of it, as in this exceptional case.”
Sinner will return to action on Monday at the US Open, in which he will be the top seed.