TENNIS
Will Jannik Sinner play the US Open? The ITIA’s statement after the Italian doping scandal
The Italian was involved in a doping scandal during the Indian Wells in March.
During the first months of 2024, a scandal shook the tennis world: Jannik Sinner, ranked number 1 in the ATP ranking, failed two anti-doping tests for the performance-enhancing drug clostebol.
The 23-year-old player tested positive for the substance in March 2024; the first anti-doping test was taken on 10 March and the second on 18 March, only two days after his defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells semifinals.
The Italian and his team argued to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that the substance entered his body through a spray applied by a staff member. Sinner and his physiotherapist were unaware that the medicine contained small doses of clostebol, an anabolic agent prohibited by all anti-doping organizations.
The ITIA sent the case to an external tribunal, which confirmed Sinner’s innocence this week. The Italian will not face a suspension but will lose the result, the money, and the points earned during the Indian Wells tournament. In a statement released today, the player said he accepts these measures by being aware of the “nature of anti-doping rules.”
“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me. 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,” Sinner also said in the statement.
Will Jannik Sinner play the US Open?
Despite the situation, Jannik Sinner’s season has been outstanding. It is noteworthy that after appealing twice against suspension, the player has been able to play the tournaments normally.
Recently, the Italian defeated Frances Tiafoe to win the Cincinnati Open tournament. Now, he is entirely focused on the US Open, his next big step. Thanks to the independent tribunal’s decision, Sinner will be allowed to compete in the tournament, which started on Monday, 19 August.
The ATP has also confirmed Jannik Sinner’s participation through an official statement. “We are encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part. We would also like to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and independent evaluation of the facts under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), which has allowed him to continue competing. This has been a challenging matter for Jannik and his team, and underscores the need for players and their entourages to take utmost care in the use of products or treatments.”