Jannik Sinner makes ‘worried’ admission in first interview since failed drug tests news
Jannik Sinner has spoken publicly for the first time since news of his two failed drug tests for a banned substance emerged ahead of the 2024 US Open.
The world No 1 admitted he was worried after learning he had tested positive twice and also addressed what impact the saga may have on his reputation.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed earlier this week that low levels of clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, were detected in samples provided by Sinner in anti-doping tests on March 10 and 18 — during and after the Indian Wells Masters.
The 23-year-old Italian received an automatic provisional suspension for each test, but he was allowed to continue playing after swiftly appealing to an independent tribunal for both instances.
The ITIA divulged that Sinner explained the substance had entered his system “as a result of contamination from a support team member, who had been applying an over-the-counter spray (available in Italy) containing clostebol to their own skin to treat a small wound.”
The ITIA’s investigation concluded on August 15, where the independent tribunal determined a finding of “No Fault or Negligence applied in the case, resulting in no period of ineligibility.”
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Despite the fact he did not receive a ban, Sinner has lost the 400 ATP Ranking points and $325,000 in prize money he gained for reaching the semi-finals in Indian Wells in line with the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) and Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).
Speaking at his pre-tournament press conference at the US Open, Sinner stressed how small the amount of clostebol found in his system was.
“Of course I was worried, because it was the first time for me, you know, and hopefully the last time that I am in this situation, position,” the world No 1 explained.
“There also a different part we have to see is the amount I had in my body, which is 0.000000001, so there are a lot of zeroes before coming up a 1.
“So I was worried, of course, because I’m always the player who was working very, very carefully in this. I believe I’m a fair player on and off the court. And yeah, that’s a bit how it all was and how it went.”
The Australian Open champion was also asked what concerns he has about his reputation in light of the news.
“Yeah, that’s a good question,” Sinner replied. “For me, I always believed that, I kept playing tennis because in my mind I knew that I hadn’t done anything wrong.
“I knew that I was very clean, I knew that I was always looking forward to be a fair player.
“Obviously it’s coming out this notification, it might change couple of things but whoever knows me very well knows that I haven’t done and I would never do something what goes against the rules.
“Obviously it has been a very tough moment for me and my team. It still is because it’s quite fresh, but yeah I mean let’s see.
“Here I also know who is my friend and who is not my friend, no? Because my friends, they know that I would never do that. About the reputation, we will see moving forwards, no? Because this, I can’t really control. So let’s see.”
Sinner will face Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round at the 2024 US Open, which begins on Monday.
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