Tennis: The Sinner case and many questions: “Like a volcanic eruption”

The “La Gazzetta dello Sport” sums it up. “News that made the earth shake like a volcanic eruption,” wrote the Italian daily newspaper about the tennis star Jannik Sinner, who is suspected of doping. And the case of the world number one is nothing less for the multi-million dollar business that is tennis.

Even though everyone involved was quick to assert, explain and document the 23-year-old’s innocence, the fact that the world number one even gave two positive doping tests is a real blow to the industry.

After all, men’s tennis is currently in a transition phase. Roger Federer has long since retired, Rafael Nadal is about to retire and Novak Djokovic will probably not be on the tennis court for much longer after fulfilling his last big dream of winning Olympic gold.

Sinner and Alcaraz the new stars

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz – this duo is set to shape the next era on the ATP tour. Both young, both highly talented, both popular and well-liked. The transition seemed to be seamless, the boom in tennis continuing unabated. The fact that Sinner won his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January after leading Italy to Davis Cup triumph just a few weeks earlier – everything just fit for the tennis makers.

The fact that one of the two faces of the new tennis era is now being linked to doping is indeed a quake “like a volcanic eruption” for the tennis scene. Even if Sinner manages to avoid a ban for the time being. Because even though the Italian, who just won the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati, tested positive twice in March for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol, he is allowed to compete as normal in the US Open, which begins this Monday.

Sinner’s explanation

According to the responsible tennis agency Itia, Sinner was acquitted by an independent court last Thursday because he did not intentionally use the banned substance. Sinner explained in a statement posted on social media that the substance entered his body via the hands of his physiotherapist. According to the statement, the therapist used a spray containing clostebol, which is available over the counter in Italy, to treat a cut on his own finger.

He then massaged Sinner, which “led to unwitting transdermal contamination.” According to the Itia, scientific experts found Sinner’s explanation to be credible. This is why the tennis agency refrained from suspending the Italian, at least for the time being. After a further investigation by the agency, nothing changed in the matter. He was only stripped of the prize money and the ranking points for reaching the semi-finals of the ATP tournament in Indian Wells.

Sharp criticism from doping expert

A mild punishment that doping expert Fritz Sörgel has sharply criticized. “If someone tests positive for clostebol, they are automatically banned,” said Sörgel in an interview with the “Sport1” portal. “The order of action after a positive test that is questioned is to go to the National Anti-Doping Agency, to WADA, and to CAS. How can Sinner then be acquitted by a court?” asked Sörgel.

“This stinks to high heaven,” says the doping expert. Clostebol automatically leads to a two to four year ban. “There’s no way around it,” says Sörgel. WADA must now intervene.

Wada announces review

The World Anti-Doping Agency will first “carefully examine” the decision, WADA said in response to a request from the German Press Agency. WADA, which is based in Montreal, Canada, said it reserves the right to appeal to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne if necessary.

Sinner’s colleagues initially held back from commenting on the explosive case. Apart from a few backbenchers like Australian Nick Kyrgios or Canadian Denis Shapovalov, there has been little reaction so far. That is likely to change on Friday, when the media day at the US Open in New York takes place.

Exciting media day in New York

Then Sinner will also have to face critical questions. According to his trainer Darren Cahill, the case and the uncertainty have “worn the Italian down physically and mentally, he got tonsillitis and missed the Olympic Games,” the 58-year-old Canadian told ESPN. “We’re not looking for grief. We’re just grateful that there is no ban.” So far, at least.