Jannik Sinner, the men’s tennis world No 1, has been issued an anti-doping sanction after testing positive twice for a banned substance. An independent tribunal has determined that Sinner is not at fault for both positive tests. However, as a result, Sinner has forfeited his ranking points, prize money, and results from the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March.
During the tournament on March 10, 2024, an in-competition test revealed an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. A subsequent out-of-competition test on March 18 also detected a metabolite of clostebol.
The first sample registered 76pg (picograms) per millilitre, while the second measured 86pg per millilitre. One picogram is equal to one trillionth of a gram.
According to the standard sanction for this type of violation, a player found guilty typically faces four years of ineligibility.
As a non-specified substance, an AAF for clostebol requires a mandatory provisional suspension from tennis. Sinner appealed both suspensions, allowing him to continue playing until the investigation concluded. He recently won the Cincinnati Masters title.
An independent tribunal overseen by Sport Resolutions approved the lifting of both suspensions. The ITIA investigation culminated in a hearing on August 15, where it was determined that Sinner was not responsible for the violations of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP). Despite admitting the violations, Sinner is permitted to continue playing.
Sinner’s team and the ITIA confirmed on Tuesday that he tested positive for low levels of clostebol, an anabolic steroid previously associated with state-sponsored doping programs.
Sinner’s lawyer, Jamie Singer, characterized the situation as the result of his team’s errors rather than Sinner’s intentional misconduct. The ITIA did not contest Sinner’s claim of innocence regarding the banned substance.
Italian tennis players have had prior instances of testing positive for clostebol. Sinner’s test occurred shortly after a prominent anti-doping case involving Simona Halep, which brought attention to doping regulations in tennis.
The Halep case prompted calls for reform in the sport and criticism of the ITIA’s investigative processes. The ITIA administers numerous tests to tennis players each quarter to uphold fair play and integrity within the sport.
(Top photo: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)