Jannik Sinner twice tests positive for a steroid, but avoids suspension

Jannik Sinner, the world's top-ranked tennis player, tested positive twice for a banned anabolic steroid in March but will not be suspended.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced the decision Tuesday, saying that an independent panel hearing was held Aug. 15 and "determined a finding of No Fault or Negligence applied in the case."

Sinner was stripped of prize money and points earned at a tournament in Indian Wells, California, after an in-competition test at the BNP Paribas Open on March 10. An out-of-competition second test conducted March 18 also detected a metabolite of Clostebol, an anabolic steroid banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

San Diego Padres star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball in 2022 after testing positive for Clostebol.

"I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me," Sinner posted to social media. "I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA's anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance."

Sinner was provisionally suspended after the positive test results but continued to play on tour after a successful appeal.

The ITIA said Sinner, who won the Cincinnati Open last week, got positive test results after one of his support team members used an over-the-counter spray containing Clostebol to treat a wound, and that same team member later gave him massages.

"Following consultation with scientific experts, who concluded that the player’s explanation was credible," the ITIA said.