Jannik Sinner has once again opened up about the doping controversy he has found himself mired in since Tuesday, August 20, when he and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that he had been cleared to play despite testing positive for a banned substance twice earlier this year. Several prominent names in tennis have spoken up against the authorities in charge of investigating the case, suggesting that Sinner received preferential treatment.
However, the Italian dismissed this theory and urged greater understanding of his situation.
The two tests were carried out in March; the first during Jannik Sinner’s run to the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, and the next after the conclusion of the Italian’s Indian Wells campaign.
The positive test reports were sent to the Italian’s team in April, and he was subsequently given a provisional suspension. However, Jannik Sinner’s legal team acted swiftly, appealing for the suspension to be lifted by presenting evidence that sought to prove that the Italian had accidentally ingested clostebol, the banned substance in question.
Based on the evidence, Sinner’s accidental exposure to the substance came as a consequence of him being massaged by his physiotherapist during his Indian Wells run. The physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, at the time, was using a spray containing clostebol to treat a cut on his own finger.
Naldi was reportedly given the medication by Sinner’s fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara. The physio proceeded to massage the reigning Australian Open champion without using gloves, and the World No. 1’s skin lesions allowed the substance to reach his bloodstream.
An arbitrator handed the case to an independent tribunal, which, after its investigation, cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing. The Italian though, was stripped of the prize money and the ranking points he won via his run to the Indian Wells semifinals.
However, active players such as Denis Shapovalov and Nick Kyrgios have cried foul over the Italian’s situation, suggesting that he has been treated preferentially.
Recently, the World No. 1 sat down for an interview with ESPN, during which, he admitted that being in his privileged position, he had the financial resources to hire “qualified” legal representation. Jannik Sinner also maintained that his team’s knowledge of the source of the contamination played its part in a swift resolution of the case.
“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. The reason why I kept playing, because we knew exactly how it (clostebol) had entered my system and where this clostebol was from, no? And it was in the spray (used by the physio),” Sinner told ESPN.
The Italian also refuted claims that he was preferentially treated by the authorities owing to his status as one of the elite men’s tennis players in the modern era.
“So, all things considered, I haven’t had a different treatment. The process was very long and after it went with 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, so I’m happy,” Sinner added.
The World No. 1 concluded saying that he wishes none one else to go through what he did. He also expressed his hope that his critics understand why the authorities allowed him to continue playing.
“No there is nothing really (that I’d like to add for closure). It has been a very tough time. It has been a doubtful time. I’m happy that this finally is over, so a lot of weight from my shoulders is gone. I wish none of the players have to go through this. I also hope that people understand why they let me keep playing and why I got the no fault,” Jannik Sinner concluded.
“I believe I’m a fair player on and off the court” – Jannik Sinner
At a 2024 US Open pre-tournament press conference, Sinner revisited the worrying times when he had to undergo the tests. According to the Italian himself, he adheres diligently to the rules and regulations that govern tennis.
“So I was worried, of course, because I’m always the player who was working very, very carefully in this. I believe I’m a fair player on and off the court. And yeah, that’s a bit how it all was and how it went,” Sinner said.
Seeded first in the men’s singles main draw at the US Open, Jannik Sinner is set to kickstart his campaign at the prestigious hardcourt Major against Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday, August 27. If the Italian comes out on top against McDonald, he will face either Alex Michelsen or qualifier Eliot Spizzirri in the second round.
