As the U.S. Open approaches, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner finds himself at the center of controversy following an announcement from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
On Tuesday, the ITIA revealed that Sinner, 23, tested positive for an anabolic steroid twice during the Indian Wells tournament in March. Despite this, Sinner will not face suspension, a decision that has sparked frustration among some of his peers on the ATP Tour.
Sinner tested positive for low levels of Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, with his first sample collected on March 10 after a third-round victory and his second on March 18, after the tournament ended. This substance is the same as that which led to San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. receiving an 80-game suspension in August 2022.
Sinner’s positive test was attributed to Clostebol being present in a topical spray used by his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, to treat a cut on Sinner’s finger. The ITIA consulted three scientific experts who confirmed the plausibility of Sinner’s explanation, noting that Clostebol is an ingredient in Trofodermin, an over-the-counter medication in Italy.
The ITIA decided not to suspend Sinner, citing his lack of knowledge about the banned substance and his reasonable explanation. However, Sinner was required to forfeit the $325,000 in prize money and 400 tour ranking points from his semifinal run at Indian Wells.
The decision has not been well-received by some of Sinner’s fellow ATP Tour players. Denis Shapovalov criticized the ruling on Twitter, stating, “Different rules for different players.”
Nick Kyrgios described the situation as “ridiculous” and argued that Sinner should face a two-year suspension.
British player Liam Broady, who reached a career-high No. 93 in the world rankings, expressed concern not about Sinner’s lack of suspension but about the swift resolution of his case.
The ITIA’s report details that Sinner’s fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, purchased the Clostebol-containing spray and suggested its use for treating a cut. The report included bank records from a pharmacy in Bologna, Italy, as evidence. It also noted that the levels of Clostebol metabolite found in Sinner’s system were so minimal they could not have had any performance-enhancing effects.
The timing of the ITIA’s announcement—one day after Sinner’s victory at the Cincinnati Open—ensures that the controversy will likely continue to be a topic of discussion as Sinner, the No. 1 seed, heads into the U.S. Open starting Monday in Queens.
