Tennis hothead Nick Kyrgios rages as Jannik Sinner escapes ban and rants world No1 should have got ‘two-year’ suspension
NICK KYRGIOS has slammed the “ridiculous” decision to clear world No 1 Jannik Sinner over TWO failed drugs tests.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted Sinner’s explanation that banned clostebol accidentally entered his body through massages from a physio — who had used a spray containing the anabolic agent to treat a finger wound.
But World Anti-Doping Agency chiefs have not ruled out an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Aussie ace Kyrgios insisted the 23-year-old Italian should have been given a TWO-YEAR ban.
The 29-year-old stormed: “Ridiculous — whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned substance you should be gone for two years. Your performance was enhanced.”
A WADA statement read: “As we do with all cases, we will review this decision carefully and reserve the right to appeal to CAS, as appropriate.”
Weeks after his maiden Grand Slam triumph in Australia in January, Sinner twice tested positive for clostebol, which can aid muscle growth.
ITIA chief Karen Moorhouse said: “We take any positive test extremely seriously and will always apply the rigorous processes set out by WADA.
“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, 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.”
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Sinner, who warmed up for this month’s US Open by winning the Cincinnati title on Monday, first tested positive on March 10 at Indian Wells.
He was red-flagged again in an out-of-competition test eight days later, with both samples showing clostebol.
But he was able to continue playing on the ATP Tour after successfully challenging a provisional suspension.
Experts consulted by the ITIA concluded Sinner’s account — in which his physio Giacomo Naldi had used an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol on his skin between March 5-13 — was credible.
The ITIA yesterday confirmed Sinner bears “no fault or negligence”, adding: “After each positive test, a provisional suspension was applied.
“On both occasions, Sinner successfully appealed the provisional suspension and so has been able to continue playing.
“However, in line with the World Anti-Doping Code and Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, Sinner’s results, prize money (£249,480) and ranking points (400) from the ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells, where the player tested positive in competition for clostebol, are disqualified.”
Sinner’s lawyers say the amount of clostebol found in his system was less than a billionth of a gram.
And the star said: “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme.”
The ATP added: “This 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.”