“….No fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part,” ATP declared in a statement. However, even after reaching the end, Sinner’s doping case remains shrouded in mystery. Only to fuel speculation about preferential treatment and the authenticity of the entire issue. But the World No. 1 player (accused of taking Clostebol, a testosterone derivative, in March), can now sigh with relief. Per a renowned reporter, the International Tennis Integrity Agency has finally broke silence, dispelling rising speculations in the tennis world.

During Jannik Sinner’s Indian Wells campaign, the Italian player had to face a major setback as he tested positive for Clostebol, a prohibited steroid in the tennis arena. As a result of being tested positive twice, the world No. 1 player remained suspended on April 4 and April 5, and then from April 17 to April 20 as well. However, by then, Sinner had assembled a whole legal team to prove his innocence to the ITIA, which launched an investigation into the matter.

As per him, his physiotherapist (who cut his finger and used an over-the-counter medicine containing Clostebol) contaminated him with the drug as they both worked together on improving Sinner’s fitness regime.  The case continued, but Sinner didn’t lose his morale. He kept playing in various tournaments like the Miami Open (where he won the title), the Monte Carlo Masters, and so on, working hard and keeping his faith in the system for justice alive. As success followed him on-court in Cincinnati recently, a piece of good news followed! After a trial lasting over six hours, Sinner won the case. 

Yet, upon the news of his success story emerging on August 20, the delay in its public announcement left the tennis world perplexed. Moreover, questions regarding partiality on the subject further troubled many. Nevertheless, an X post(from August 21) by Tennis Media/@luciahoff cleared the air!

It confirmed ITIA’s statement that “Once a case,” concludes, “we announce it” (according to WADA’s procedure). Moreover, the post further elaborated, “So, the fact that we haven’t heard about Jannik Sinner’s case might not mean he was treated differently….So, think Sharapova or Cilic and others who tested positive a few weeks before the public knew about their cases.”

Besides, another post highlighted an excerpt from the National Library of Medicine on how the use of Clostebol has increased in Italy recently. “Due to the ample availability of pharmaceutical formulations containing clostebol acetate (Trofodermin®) and the use of more sensitive instrumentation by the antidoping laboratories…”

This might have added some credibility to Sinner’s side of the story. But either way, the Australian Open champion has taken a vow in order to maintain his integrity on such occasions even more from now on.

Jannik Sinner’s honest confession about the “deeply unfortunate” period of his trial

Jannik Sinner did not have to miss a tournament owing to the ongoing trial as the whole incident went on silently the entire time. However, once the hearing finally ended, the Italian player had to give away his Indian Wells prize money ($325,000) along with 400 ranking points. But the World No. 1 player held his head high as he later stated,

“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me.” Furthermore, the 23-year-old player added, “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.”

Putting all this behind him, Sinner now embarks on his upcoming US Open journey, where his reign ended in the round of 16 match last year. Hopefully, with his spot on performance in the next tournament, he will be able to overshadow all the lingering doubts about his trial!