During the Indian Wells tournament, Jannik Sinner tested positive for an anabolic steroid twice. As the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced on Tuesday, small amounts of the banned substance clostebol were detected.
However, Sinner was able to credibly convey that he did not knowingly take the substance. According to the 23-year-old, the clostebol came about as a result of treatment by his physiotherapist, who used an over-the-counter healing spray.
According to a statement from the South Tyrolean, the healing spray was used on the physiotherapist’s finger because he had previously cut himself with a scalpel. The carer later performed massages and treatments on Sinner.
Sinner’s statement on X (formerly Twitter):
Sinner cooperated with the ITIA from the beginning. An independent tribunal then decided that the tennis professional was innocent. The ITIA therefore decided not to ban the Italian – but he was stripped of his points and prize money for the tournament.