The Anti-Doping Controversy taints Jannik Sinner’s Dope 2024 Tennis Season
Facts
Jannik Sinner, the young Italian tennis star, has been putting together a remarkable year on the court in 2024.[1] The world No. 1 player recently won his second Grand Slam title at the 2024 US Open.[2] Sinner’s 2024 season so far includes two Grand Slams, 55 wins, and over $10 million in prize money.[3]
Sinner’s outstanding performances, however, are tainted with doping accusations. On August 20, the ITIA, an independent body established by the tennis governing bodies to safeguard the integrity of professional tennis, announced that Sinner had twice tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid in March 2024.[4] There were two urine samples taken in March: the first was an in-competition test on March 10; the second was an out-of-competition test on March 18.[5] Both urine samples contained metabolites of Clostebol.[6] Clostebol is an anabolic steroid which shortens recovery times. It is an ingredient in certain healing creams and sprays that are readily available in Italy, but not in many other countries.[7]
The Charges brought by ITIA
The ITIA has filed charges against Sinner regarding two anti-doping violations under Article 2.1 and Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).[8] The rules involve banned substances in athlete samples and the use or attempted use of prohibited substances or methods.[9] The rule especially emphasize that players themselves have duty to prevent banned substances from entering their body.[10]
Sinner’s Responses
Sinner insists there is no fraud or negligence on his part.[11] His fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, had brought a medical spray containing clostebol to Indian Wells, an ATP Masters 1000 event.[12] The spray is used to treat cuts and, in Italy, can be purchased over-the-counter.[13] Sinner’s physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, cut his hand and used the spray on that cut. Later, Naldi gave Sinner a massage after the application of the spray without using gloves, leading to transdermal contamination of clostebol.[14] Naldi assured Sinner he had not used any substances to treat the cut other than applying a bandage.[15]
ITIA’s Decision
After assessing the circumstances and facts, the ITIA accepted Sinner’s response that he didn’t intend to use the substance and he neither knew nor had reason to know Naldi had sprayed a medicine that contained Clostebol.[16]. The panel addressed that this strict liability offense is still “subject to potential reduction or suspension where the Player establishes how the Prohibited Substance entered their system”.[17] The panel ordered to Sinner to lose the $325,000 in prize money and 400 rankings points he earned at the tournament in Indian Wells.[18].
WADA’s Appeal
WADA has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), an arbitration body that is based in Switzerland and has jurisdiction over sports disputes.[19] WADA claims that the panel erred by using the “no fault or negligence” standard.[20] When the rules at issue are strict liability offenses, a player is subject to punishment for having the substance even if it is not their fault.[21]
WADA is seeking a two-year suspension, though they won’t seek to strip Sinner of his latest Grand Slam victory in the Australian Open.[22].
CAS will review a decision by a three-person panel that weighed International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)’s matter with Sinner.[23] The court will appoint a panel chair, WADA will pick a judge and the respondents Sinner and tennis authorities collectively can choose one.[24] The appeals process is expected to last several months.[25]
Footnotes
