Justified Sinner? How star explained away doping case

Jannik Sinner, the men’s No 1-ranked player, twice tested positive for a banned substance but was cleared this week

- LAWRENCE OSTLERE

Jannik Sinner will begin his bid to win the US Open next week in the wake of revelations that the 23-year-old, who is the men’s No 1-ranked tennis player, twice tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid in March.

It’s a case that no one knew about until Tuesday and one that has drawn all sorts of questions – and, in some instances, criticism – from other players who wonder whether there was a double standard at play because of Sinner’s success, are confused about why this was all kept under wraps, and want to know why Sinner was allowed to keep competing before there was a resolution.

“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” Sinner said in a statement on social media. “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with anti-doping [rules] and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”

Not everyone is completely ready to move forward. And it will be interesting to see how much scrutiny Sinner receives – from other athletes, spectators and the media – during the year’s last grand slam tournament, where he will be the top-seeded man.

“Different rules for different players,” 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist Denis Shapovalov wrote on social media.

Who is Jannik Sinner?

Sinner is a rising Italian star who moved up to No 1 in the ATP rankings for the first time in June and is considered one of the leaders of the next group of tennis players who will succeed Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, if the latter ever stops playing and winning.

Sinner’s first grand slam triumph came in January at the Australian Open, where he eliminated Djokovic in the semifinals before erasing a two-set deficit in the final to beat Daniil Medvedev. His most recent title came at the Cincinnati Open on Monday.

What is clostebol, the drug Sinner tested positive for?