Italian Jannik Sinner, 23, world number one in tennis, tested positive twice for a banned substance, but was acquitted by an independent court.
The decision of the International Integrity Authority of the Tennis (ITIA) is subject to appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Italian Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia).
According to ITIA, Sinner explained that Sinner’s physical therapist used an over-the-counter spray that contained clostebol to treat a minor injury, and the same person then massaged the Italian tennis player without gloves, causing the substance to inadvertently enter the athlete’s body.
“After each positive test, a provisional suspension. On both occasions, Sinner successfully appealed and was able to continue playing“ITIA said in a statement.
Despite the acquittal, he loses the points and money
The first positive test occurred during the tournament Indian Wellsin California, in March, and Sinner tested positive again eight days later in an out-of-competition sample. The tennis player was notified of the results in April.
Despite being acquitted, Sinner lose the points achieved in Indian Wells (400) and the monetary prize raised at the event (approximately 288 thousand euros). “I will now leave this deeply unhappy period behind me,” said the tennis player quoted in the ITIA statement.
