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Athlete implicated in doping scandal separates from employees involved
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    Athlete implicated in doping scandal separates from employees involved

    NEW YORK — Jannik Sinner fired his fitness trainer and physiotherapist because of his two positive steroid tests in March and said Friday at his pre-US Open news conference that he knew he was innocent but still worried about what the case’s outcome would be until finding out he wouldn’t be suspended.

    “It has been a very tough moment for me and my team,” Sinner said at the site of the year’s last Grand Slam tournament, where he is the No. 1-seeded man. “It still is.”

    Play begins Monday at Flushing Meadows. Sinner is scheduled to meet first-round opponent Mackie McDonald, an American ranked 140th, on Tuesday. McDonald got into the US Open field when Rafael Nadal withdrew earlier this month.

    “It’s not ideal,” Sinner said with a bit of a chuckle when he was asked about the timing of this week’s news of his doping case.

    He also called the outcome “a relief.”

    Sinner is a 23-year-old Italian who moved up to No. 1 in the ATP rankings for the first time in June and is considered one of the leaders of the next group of male tennis stars who will succeed the Big Three of Roger Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Sinner’s first Grand Slam trophy came in January at the Australian Open.

    He is 48-5 with a tour-leading five titles in 2024 and tuned up for the US Open by winning the hard-court Cincinnati Open on Monday.

    The next day, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that Sinner failed two drug tests in March — one during a tournament in Indian Wells, California, and one eight days later — but that it was determined the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi.

    Sinner’s defence was that his fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara, purchased an over-the-counter spray that contained Clostebol in Italy, then gave it to Naldi, who used it on a cut finger. Sinner said Naldi then gave him a massage.

    The player Sinner beat in the Cincinnati final, Frances Tiafoe, was asked Friday about the news.

    “He’s an incredible player, and, you know, (governing) bodies made a decision. They went and did that; he’s cleared to play. That’s pretty much what I have to say about it,” Tiafoe said. “All the best to him in the US Open.”

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    In a shocking turn of events, a prominent athlete who has been implicated in a doping scandal has decided to separate from employees who were allegedly involved in facilitating the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The athlete, whose identity has not been disclosed due to legal reasons, made the announcement through their legal team in a statement released to the media.

    The athlete’s decision to distance themselves from the employees in question comes after a thorough investigation conducted by both the athlete’s legal team and the relevant sports governing bodies. The investigation reportedly uncovered evidence linking the employees to the procurement and administration of banned substances to the athlete, leading to their decision to part ways.

    The athlete expressed deep disappointment and shock at the revelations, stating that they had placed their trust in their employees and were unaware of their involvement in any illegal activities. The athlete emphasized their commitment to clean competition and stated that they would fully cooperate with any further investigations into the matter.

    The doping scandal has sent shockwaves through the sports world, with many questioning the integrity of the athlete and their achievements. The athlete’s decision to separate from the employees involved is seen as a step towards restoring their reputation and credibility in the eyes of fans, sponsors, and fellow athletes.

    It remains to be seen what further consequences the doping scandal will have for the athlete and their career. In the meantime, the sports world is left reeling from yet another high-profile doping scandal, underscoring the ongoing challenges of maintaining clean competition in the world of sports.