Men’s tennis world number one Jannik Sinner spent much of the media coverage at the US Open on Friday answering questions about how he managed to avoid a ban despite testing positive for a banned substance twice in March.
On Tuesday, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced that the Italian star bore “no fault or negligence” despite a sample taken at the Indian Wells tournament on March 10 testing positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol in small amounts. Another sample taken eight days later also tested positive in small amounts.
“It’s not ideal before a Grand Slam. But in my head I know I haven’t done anything wrong,” said the 23-year-old. “I will always respect these anti-doping rules.”
Sinner is the top seed at the US Open and will face American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round next week.
In a statement posted on social media on Tuesday, Sinner said the positive tests were due to “accidental contamination with clostebol” while receiving treatment from his physiotherapist. The 2024 Australian Open winner also said his physiotherapist applied an over-the-counter spray to his own skin – not Sinner’s – to treat a small wound.
On Friday, Sinner said he had parted ways with his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi and his fitness coach Umberto Ferrara because of the incident.
“We worked together for two years. We did an incredible job, had a lot of success and had a great team behind us,” he said.
“Because of these mistakes, I’m not so confident about continuing with this now. The only thing I need now is clean air.”
Sinner said he had no control over what impact the situation would have on his reputation.
“Anyone who knows me well knows that I have never done anything and would never do anything that violates the rules,” he said.
On Friday, ATP player Frances Tiafoe was already asked about Sinner. Tiafoe had lost to Sinner in the final of the Cincinnati Open on Monday, one day before the ITIA announcement.
“The government made a decision – they implemented it and he’s allowed to play. You know, that’s pretty much all I have to say about it,” Tiafoe said. “All the best to him at the US Open and I’m just looking forward to doing my thing at the Open.”
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com
