Jannik Sinner continues game despite of being tested steroid positive
The top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner was disqualified and denied prize money after testing positive for a prohibited anabolic steroid twice in March during a tournament in Indian Wells, California. However, he will not face suspension because an independent panel determined that Sinner's usage of the drug was not deliberate.
After winning the Cincinnati Open on Monday, Sinner is expected to be one of the favorites when the U.S. Open begins in New York the following week. Sinner, along with Carlos Alcaraz, is regarded as one of the best players of the new generation in men's tennis. He debuted at No. 1 in the ATP rankings in June.
The Australian Open was Sinner's maiden Grand Slam victory in January. Sinner, an Italian, turned 23 on Friday. Before skipping the Olympics in Paris, he claimed he had tonsilitis and advanced to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in July and the French Open semifinals in June.
Sinner tested positive for low quantities of a metabolite of Clostebol, an illegal anabolic steroid used for dermatological and ophthalmological purposes, during the Indian Wells hard-court tournament in March. The San Diego Padres standout Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended by MLB for the same drug.
Eight days later, in a sample taken outside of competition, Sinner tested positive once more. These test findings resulted in a provisional suspension for him, but he was able to successfully appeal and continue competing on the tour.
Sinner claimed to the ITIA that his test results were caused by a member of his support staff treating a minor wound with an over-the-counter spray that contained Clostebol. Then that team member began massaging Sinner. After considering Sinner's statement, the ITIA concluded that the breach was not deliberate.
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