It has been quite an eventful season filled with many eye-catching moments and controversies. Among them are the doping controversies that have affected many high-profile athletes like Simona Halep. Minutes ago, another shocking update emerged out of the camp of Jannik Sinner. The Italian star was found to test positive for the banned substance clostebol. However, he was fortunate to escape a ban.

The World No. 1, has been found to bear no fault or negligence for two failed anti-doping tests, after testing positive for clostebol in March. His positive tests were not made public as he successfully appealed the provisional bans due to contamination. However, because he admitted the violation, he had to surrender the $325,000 and 400 ranking points that he earned at Indian Wells.

Sinner was in the form of his life earlier this year after he won the Australian Open and the ATP Rotterdam title. Subsequently, he reached the semifinals at Indian Wells, where he failed the two doping tests. However, as it turned out, his samples were contaminated and he bore no fault for this negligence.

This will have no bearing on Sinner’s US Open hopes, and he is free to play there. He also remains the World Number 1 ahead of the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. Sinner is in good form ahead of the US Open as he defeated Frances Tiafoe to win the Cincinnati Open title.

Despite the doping scenario taking center stage, Sinner remains hopeful that it will not affect him going into the US Open. He said, “I will now put this very challenging and hugely unfortunate period behind me. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”

His lawyer, Jamie Singer, explained how Sinner escaped with just a deduction in points and prize money after failing two doping tests.

Lawyer explains the ‘exceptional’ case of Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner was found to have clostebol in his sample, which is a banned substance. The Italian was exposed to this substance via a healing spray that his physio, Giacomo Naldi, had been using to treat a cut. As the sample was found to be contaminated later, the 23-year-old was fortunate to escape a ban.

Explaining the case, his lawyer said, “There is no question that Jannik is innocent in this case. The ITIA did not challenge that key principle. However, under strict liability rules, Jannik is responsible for whatever is in his system, even when entirely unaware of it, as in this exceptional case.”

Sinner will look to put this fiasco behind him quickly as he prepares for the upcoming US Open. Can the World No. 1 emerge from this controversy and go on to win the US Open title? Let us know your views in the comments below.