Men’s tennis world No. 1 Jannik Sinner faced questions during his US Open media availability regarding his recent positive drug tests for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid. The International Tennis Integrity Agency stated that Sinner bore no fault or negligence despite testing positive for the substance at low levels in samples collected in March.
Sinner, the top seed at the US Open, emphasized that he had not intentionally violated any anti-doping rules and attributed the positive tests to inadvertent contamination through treatment from his physiotherapist. He announced that he had parted ways with his physiotherapist and fitness coach due to the incident.
Despite the controversy, Sinner expressed confidence in his integrity, stating, “Whoever knows me very well knows that I haven’t done, and I would never do something that goes against the rules.”
His upcoming opponent, Frances Tiafoe, acknowledged the decision by the governing bodies to clear Sinner to play and wished him well in the US Open.
Sinner is scheduled to face American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round of the tournament next week. The 23-year-old, who won the 2024 Australian Open, remains focused on his performance on the court amidst the scrutiny surrounding the positive drug tests.
