Juicy Drama: Jannik Sinner’s Positive Drug Tests

Jannik Sinner’s recent ascent in the ATP rankings, surpassing players like Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic to reach world number one, has secured his spot as a big-league player. But recent revelations about his use of banned substances have created doubts about his integrity and belonging in the list of top tennis players. The attention on him has turned to scrutiny, leaving his competitors and fans questioning the integrity of his victories and the implications for his future and the future of doping in tennis.

This year, Sinner has already claimed five titles, including one major at the Australian Open, and most recently a win at the Cincinnati Masters. To put that into perspective, Alcaraz, who has the same amount of overall titles as Sinner (15), has only won three of those this year. For 23-year-old Sinner, this year has seemed to be the beginning of a promising rise in his career. 

However, on March 10, during the Indian Wells tournament, an in-competition drug test was conducted by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), and the results showed that Sinner tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol. When tested on March 18, he again was positive. Clostebol has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency for years due to its steroid and testosterone properties that have the potential to increase performance. Clostebol is also found in some over-the-counter ointments or sprays used to treat swelling and irritation, which is what Sinner claimed was the source of his positive tests.

Under the ITIA rules, “athletes are allowed to appeal against the suspension and it might be removed if he/she can prove that the violation was due to a contaminated product.” Sinner claimed that the clostebol in his system was “a result of contamination from a support team member, who had been applying an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol to their own skin to treat a small wound.” After this appeal, the ITIA ruled that he was not responsible for the positive test, and he would not have to serve the standard four-year suspension. He did not, however, receive the ATP points or $325,000 of prize money from the Indian Wells tournament where he received the positive test.

In the tennis community, there have been mixed responses. Some players are taking a step back before jumping to conclusions. In an interview, Carlos Alcaraz, the ATP number two, trusts the ITIA’s decision. “He was declared innocent and so we have Jannik in the tournament, and so there’s not much to talk about and I’m [in] no position to add anything else,” Alcaraz said.

For others, the lack of consequences dealt to Sinner has raised suspicion and controversy. Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios posted on X, stating that his lack of suspension was “ridiculous - whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for two years.” 

Other players, such as British player Tara Moore, who had to serve a 19-month suspension for a similar accidental positive, were outraged. She claimed that the lack of consequences for Sinner was due to his number one ranking:  “I guess only the top players’ images matter,” said Moore.

Critics of ITIA’s determination argue that Sinner’s status as the world number one may have influenced the leniency of his case. They suggest that the integrity of the sport might be compromised to protect high-profile players, who tend to draw large crowds at tennis events. As debates continue, the doubts about Sinner’s achievements could prompt a deeper examination of how doping violations are handled at the top levels of tennis, and whether the sport’s governing bodies are enforcing their rules impartially.

Works Cited:

Eccleshare, Charlie. “What Players’ Reaction to Sinner’s Doping Case Says about Their Trust in Their Sport.” The New York Times, The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/athletic/5712885/2024/08/21/jannik-sinner-doping-case-player-reaction-moore-shapovalov-kyrgios/. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024. 

“Jannik Sinner Avoids Ban after Twice Testing Positive for Steroid.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/40928617/tennis-jannik-sinner-tested-positive-steroids-avoids-ban. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024. 

“Jannik Sinner: Overview: ATP Tour: Tennis.” ATP Tour, www.atptour.com/en/players/jannik-sinner/s0ag/overview. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.

Jefford, Oli Dickson. “Jannik Sinner’s Failed Drugs Test: What Is Clostebol - the Substance World No 1 Tested Positive For?” Tennis365, Tennis365, 20 Aug. 2024, www.tennis365.com/tennis-features/what-is-clostebol-drug-jannik-sinner-tested-positive-doping-sanction.   

Standard, Business. “Jannik Sinner Doping Controversy Explained: Why Was Sinner’s Ban Revoked?” Business Standard, 22 Aug. 2024, www.business-standard.com/sports/other-sports-news/jannik-sinner-doping-controversy-explained-why-wasn-t-he-suspended-124082200388_1.html. 

“X.Com.” X (Formerly Twitter), x.com/NickKyrgios/status/1825918412914307398. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.