The tennis world isn't happy with Jannik Sinner.
Two months ago, Sinner reached the summit of the sport. The Italian star passed Novak Djokovic for the No. 1 spot in the ATP world rankings , as the 23-year-old continues his rapid ascent to tennis stardom. His five titles this season are the most on the ATP Tour and include winning the Australian Open in January to claim his first grand slam title.
Sinner recently won the Cincinnati Open and looks to win his first US Open when the competition begins this weekend in New York. However, he finds himself in hot water. It was revealed on Tuesday that Sinner will not be suspended following two failed drug tests earlier this year.
The announcement by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) did not sit well with a number of his colleagues.
Canadian tennis player Denis Shapovalov and Australia's Nick Kyrgios both took to social media to express their displeasure with the decision not to ban Sinner.
While Sinner is receiving some sort of discipline, it is not nearly as serious as a suspension, which has been the case with other tennis players.
Here is more on Sinner and why he avoided a suspension.
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Jannik Sinner doping controversy, explained
Sinner twice tested positive for an anabolic steroid during the Indian Wells tournament in March of this year.
He originally tested positive for Clostebol, a banned steroid during the Indian Wells event, and then tested positive again eight days later in an out-of-competition sample. He was provisionally suspended because of the results; however, after an appeal, he was allowed to continue competing on tour.
Sinner reached the semifinals of the Indian Wells tournament, losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
While he avoided a suspension, there is a punishment he will face: Sinner must forfeit the ranking points (400) and prize money ($325,000) he earned at the tournament since the first failed test was considered to be in competition.
"I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me," Sinner said in a statement. "I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping (program) and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance."
What is Clostebol?
Clostebol acetate is a "synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) that bears a close structural similarity to testosterone," according to Synapse . It is a banned substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The steroid is considered to be "weak" and is used in the "treatment for muscle wasting diseases, osteoporosis, severe burns, and certain types of anemia."
It is the same substance that MLB star Fernando Tatis Jr. tested positive for in 2022, resulting in an 80-game suspension for the Padres member.
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Why wasn't Jannik Sinner suspended?
The ITIA ultimately elected not to issue a suspension to Sinner for his failed tests. The organization "determined a finding of No Fault or Negligence applied in the case, resulting in no period of ineligibility."
According to Sinner, the test results happened after his fitness trainer purchased an over-the-counter spray in Italy that contained Clostebol. The trainer then gave it to the physiotherapist to treat a cut on the physiotherapist’s finger, who then treated Sinner while allegedly not wearing gloves.
"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," Sinner’s statement said. "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."
The ITIA held a hearing on Aug. 15 and came to the conclusion not to issue a suspension after scientific experts felt that the Italian’s explanation was credible. The loss of prize money and points from the Indian Wells tournament was the only punishment for Sinner.
The ATP issued a statement on Tuesday, stating that it was "encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part."
"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," the ATP statement said . "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."
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