Prize money canceled

Excitement about two positive doping tests from Sinner

Doping furor surrounding tennis ace Jannik Sinner.(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Excitement surrounding tennis ace Jannik Sinner! The world number one was tested for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol in March, as the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Tuesday. However, the South Tyrolean has already been acquitted by an independent tribunal. 

The tennis pro's physiotherapist was responsible for the positive tests. Sinner himself was not at fault, according to the tribunal's ruling. It was set up by Sport Resolutions, a private company that frequently monitors doping cases.

Sinner took to social media to comment on the case with a statement from his team. "The physiotherapist treated Jannik and his lack of care caused the contamination," it said. The physiotherapist had used a healing spray containing Clostebol to treat a wound on his finger. He later massaged and treated Sinner without gloves, which led to the unintentional contamination.

Points and prize money canceled
The two tests were carried out during the tournament in Indian Wells - where he reached the semi-finals - and the week after. Sinner was informed of the positive doping tests in April. The South Tyrolean immediately lodged an appeal and was therefore allowed to continue playing - he was only stripped of the world ranking points he had won and the prize money from Indian Wells.

(Bild: AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Dylan Buell)

At a hearing the previous week, the International Tennis Integrity Agency found that Sinner was not at fault or negligent, so he was allowed to continue playing as before.