Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill breaks his silence after failed drug tests are revealed
Jannik Sinner’s two failed drug tests and the subsequent verdict clearing him of wrongdoing have sparked a huge debate in tennis and his coach Darren Cahill has offered up his first comments on the story.
The world No 1 twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol, an anabolic agent that can aid muscle growth, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance had accidentally entered his system.
Sinner successfully argued that the substance got into his body after one of his team used a spray to treat a cut on his finger that contained clostebol and then gave the player a massage that introduced the drug into his system.
Now his highly respected coach Cahill has given his first comments on the story, as he spoke to ESPN.
“He would never do anything intentionally. He was in an unfortunate situation,” said Cahill.
“The truth is out, no fault or negligence, and hopefully he can put this behind him .”
“The reason why it was possible for him to continue playing after the short provisional suspension is that they were able to locate precisely where the incident occurred and they were able to explain what happened with the spray.”
Cahill also suggested Sinner has suffered due to the pressure of ITIA case hanging over him in recent months.
“You would have seen a big change in his physicality and excitement to be on the court, it wore him down physically and mentally, he got tonsillitis (and) missed the Olympics,” he added. “We are not looking for any sorrow. Just thankful there is no ban attached.”
The reaction around the sporting world to this stunning story continues to roll in and Andy Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey is among those backing Sinner and urging the tennis public not to compare this case with other doping stories.
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“Sport, especially tennis, is a completely capitalist behemoth on every level,” he said.
“Yet when it comes to everything else people expect it to be run on a socialist system.
“Why do companies etc have teams of lawyers/accountants working round the clock for them? To make sure they get the best outcome.
“Sinner and his team followed the rules after the test results, did everything they could do to limit the damage within the legal framework and got the best legal outcome. That’s life and that’s what this is.”
The outspoken Nick Kyrgios is among those questioning Sinner as he posted a negative message on X, while Canadian star Denis Shapovalov questioned how the world No 1 was not suspended from tennis until his case had concluded.
Karen Moorhouse, ITIA CEO, insisted her organisation had followed all the protocols before reaching their conclusion.
“We take any positive test extremely seriously and will always apply the rigorous processes set out by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency),” said Moorhouse.
“The ITIA carried out a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the positive tests with which Mr Sinner and his representatives fully co-operated.
“Following that investigation, the ITIA accepted the player’s explanation as to the source of the clostebol and that the presence of the substance was not intentional. This was also accepted by the tribunal.”
Sinner, who warmed up for the US Open starting later this month by winning the Cincinnati title on Monday, first tested positive on March 10 while competing in Indian Wells.
He was red-flagged again in an out-of-competition test eight days later, with both samples yielding trace amounts of clostebol, but he was able to continue playing on the ATP Tour after successfully challenging a provisional suspension.
Scientific experts consulted by the ITIA concluded Sinner’s account – in which his physiotherapist had used an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol on his skin between March 5 to 13 – was credible.
Sinner said in a statement: “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me.
“I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
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