With every passing minute, there have been new developments coming out of the doping case of Jannik Sinner. One of the best players this season, the Italian star failed a couple of doping tests during the Indian Wells Masters tournament and tested positive for a banned substance named Clostebol, an anabolic steroid. While he was provisionally suspended for a few days, Sinner was let off after providing a valid justification about how he came in contact with the banned substance. Nonetheless, the latest turn of events has landed the ITIA in a soup over Sinner’s provisional suspension.

According to the agency, Sinner faced a ‘provisional’ ban from 4 April until 5 April 2024 and from 17 April until 20 April 2024, but it was lifted on each occasion following an urgent application before an independent tribunal. Interestingly, those provisional bans came a couple of days after winning Miami & at the start of the Madrid Masters 1000, and during those periods, Sinner entered the draw and talked to the press in a pre-tournament interview as well. The ban was then lifted when the tournament was underway, just in time for the Italian star to play.

The entire episode about Sinner’s positive doping tests was kept under wraps and was only made public earlier today. This has landed the ITIA in an awkward situation, with question marks over how Sinner was able to be present at the pre-tournament interview in Madrid, while he was facing a provisional ban.

Sinner’s samples were proven to be contaminated and the Italian star wasn’t held responsible for that, which further enhanced the case for his innocence. According to the explanation given by Sinner’s team, the player came in contact with the banned substance through a spray applied by his physio. While Sinner’s team appealed for his innocence, the CEO of ITIA, Karen Moorhouse, broke his silence on this matter.

ITIA CEO on Jannik Sinner: ‘We take any positive test extremely seriously’

Doping cases have created quite a stir in the tennis world this year. Earlier this year, the former World Number 1, Simona Halep, was let off after winning her appeal against the doping ban. Today, Sinner’s failed doping tests have also raised many eyebrows. While some questioned how Sinner was let off, some backed the player for no fault of his.

Amid this, the ITIA CEO gave clarity on the matter, saying, “We take any positive test extremely seriously and will always apply the rigorous processes set out by WADA. 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. ”

Subsequently, the ITIA CEO also thanked the independent tribunal for quick and clear decision-making. With Sinner avoiding a doping suspension, he is cleared to play in the upcoming US Open now, where he will be the hot favorite to win the title.