PA Media/DPA
London
World number one Jannik Sinner has been absolved of fault or negligence for two anti-doping failures in March.
Just weeks after winning his maiden grand-slam title at the Australian Open in January, the Italian twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol, an anabolic agent that can aid muscle growth.
But the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance had accidentally entered his system via a product one of his team had used to treat a small wound.
Karen Moorhouse, ITIA chief executive, said: “We take any positive test extremely seriously and will always apply the rigorous processes set out by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency).
“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 investigation, 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.”
Sinner, who warmed up for the US Open starting later this month by winning the Cincinnati title on Monday, first tested positive on March 10 while competing in Indian Wells.
He was red-flagged again in an out-of-competition test eight days later, with both samples yielding trace amounts of clostebol, but he was able to continue playing on the ATP Tour after successfully challenging a provisional suspension.
Scientific experts consulted by the ITIA concluded Sinner’s account - in which his physiotherapist had used an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol on his skin between March 5 to 13 - was credible.
Sinner said in a statement: “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me. “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
Becomes first Italian man
to win Cincinnati Open
New York: Earlier, Sinner defeated home favourite Frances Tiafoe in Monday’s final of the Cincinnati Open, becoming the first Italian man to win the title.
The Italian took one hour and 37 minutes to defeat the American 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.
Sinner continued to make history after becoming the first Italian man to become world number one after a strong performance in the French Open in June, where he lost in the final to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Italian reached the final after coming back from a set down against Alexander Zverev on Sunday in a marathon semi-final, despite what looked like issues with his hip.
Top-seeded Sinner also came back from a set down against Andrey Rublev in the previous round.
The 23-year-old has so far won five trophies this season, having won the Australian Open as well as in Rotterdam, Miami and Halle. He is the only player to claim two ATP Masters 1000 crowns in 2024.
“It was a very difficult week, tough week. I’m very happy about about today’s match,” Sinner said in his on-court interview after winning the final.
“It was very tough mentally. Had such an amazing run here, and I tried to do my best today. We both were quite tired. We both felt a lot of tension, but I’m very glad about [the] level I played today, especially in the important moments.”
