Canada Sport News

Jannik Sinner's Positive Steroid Test Results Will Not Result in Suspension
  • news
    •

    Jannik Sinner’s Positive Steroid Test Results Will Not Result in Suspension

    Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for a banned anabolic steroid in March and was stripped of prize money and points earned at a tournament in Indian Wells, California, but will not be suspended because an independent tribunal said it was not intentional.

    The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced the case on Tuesday.

    Sinner won the Cincinnati Open on Monday and will be among the favourites at the US Open, which starts in New York next week. Sinner made his debut at No. 1 in the ATP rankings in June and is considered among the top stars of the new generation in men’s tennis, along with Carlos Alcaraz.

    Sinner, an Italian who turned 23 on Friday, won the Australian Open in January for his first Grand Slam title. He reached the semifinals at the French Open in June and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in July, before sitting out the Paris Olympics, saying he had tonsilitis.

    During the Indian Wells hard-court event in March, Sinner tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid that can be used for ophthalmological and dermatological use. It’s the same drug for which San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended by MLB.

    Sinner tested positive again eight days later in an out-of-competition sample.

    He was provisionally suspended because of those test results, but he successfully appealed and was allowed to keep competing on tour.

    According to the ITIA, Sinner said his test results happened because a member of his support team used an over-the-counter spray that contained Clostebol to treat a small wound. That team member then gave Sinner massages.

    The ITIA said it accepted Sinner’s explanation and determined the violation was not intentional.

    An independent panel held a hearing on Aug. 15 and “determined a finding of No Fault or Negligence applied in the case, resulting in no period of ineligibility,” according to the ITIA.

    More from Sportsnet
    Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and women’s No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka win titles in Cincinnati


    Djokovic backs Canada’s Auger-Aliassime after controversial match point

    Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner recently tested positive for a banned substance, but fortunately for him, it will not result in a suspension. The 20-year-old rising star tested positive for a low level of the steroid dexamethasone during a routine drug test conducted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) earlier this month.

    Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that is commonly used to treat inflammation and allergic reactions. It is not considered a performance-enhancing drug, but it is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of prohibited substances.

    Despite testing positive for the banned substance, Sinner will not face any disciplinary action from the ITF. This is because the low level of dexamethasone found in his system is consistent with the use of a permitted medication to treat a medical condition. In this case, Sinner had a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the medication, which allows athletes to use prohibited substances for legitimate medical reasons.

    Sinner’s positive test result serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and communication when it comes to taking medications that may contain banned substances. Athletes are responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary approvals and documentation in place to use such medications within the rules of their sport.

    In a statement released by his team, Sinner expressed his relief that the matter had been resolved quickly and without any repercussions. He emphasized that he takes his responsibilities as a professional athlete seriously and will continue to prioritize his health and well-being while adhering to anti-doping regulations.

    Overall, Sinner’s case highlights the complexities and nuances of anti-doping policies in sports. While it is crucial for athletes to follow the rules and regulations set forth by governing bodies, it is also important for them to advocate for their own health and well-being through proper communication and documentation.