Jannik Sinner Tests Positive for Banned Substance Twice but Avoids Further Suspension, Raising Questions of Fairness Among Players
Top tennis player Jannik Sinner tested positive twice in March for low levels of clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid commonly used in ophthalmology and dermatology. Although Sinner was stripped of prize money and ranking points from a tournament in California, he won’t face additional suspension.
This decision has sparked controversy within the tennis community, with players like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz expressing concerns over the inconsistency of the sport’s disciplinary actions. Djokovic highlighted the “lack of standardized and clear protocols” and sympathized with players questioning if the same standards apply to everyone.
Carlos Alcaraz also commented, noting that while Sinner tested positive, there may be underlying reasons that allowed him to continue playing, but without further information, it’s difficult to say more.
However, not everyone agrees with the outcome. Nick Kyrgios criticized the ruling, calling it “ridiculous” that Sinner only lost prize money and points, insisting that a two-year suspension should have been enforced, regardless of whether the substance use was accidental.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that Sinner would not face further suspension after an independent tribunal ruled that the positive tests were unintentional. Despite this, the situation continues to fuel debates about fairness and the consistency of anti-doping enforcement in the sport. Sinner, who won the Australian Open in January, has had a strong season, reaching the semifinals at the French Open and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.
