The news of Jannik Sinner testing positive for a banned substance will continue to make headlines after it was discovered his lawyer has the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on his client list.
Sinner's case was investigated by the ITIA, an organization committed to promoting, encouraging, and safeguarding the integrity of professional tennis worldwide. That includes examining cases where a player may be guilty of doping.
The Australian Open champion failed two tests during the Indian Wells Open. A slight trace of clostebol, a banned substance, was found in both positive tests. That news was kept private until Tuesday, five months after the incidents occurred.
Sinner was cleared of any wrongdoing and avoided a suspension after the authorities determined the Cincinnati Open champion's explanation that his physiotherapist accidentally put the clostebol in his system after using an over-the-counter spray was plausible.
The 23-year-old did lose his prize money and ranking points from the Indian Wells Open. That means Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have a better chance of overtaking him before the end of the season.
There was a polarized reaction to the story. Some players, such as Denis Shapovalov, were enraged by the case being kept private. Nick Kyrgios went further by saying Sinner should be banned for two years, whether his actions were intentional or not.
Sinner did receive support from others. Mark Petchey defended the Italian and said that criticism of the case's handling was unjustified. Former player John Millman also believed Sinner was 100% innocent.
Unfortunately for Sinner and his supporters, discovering his lawyer's client list will only strengthen the voices of those who feel the case was improperly handled.
Jamie Singer was one of the lawyers who helped Sinner make his case to the ITIA. He also addressed the press after the world No. 1 was cleared of any wrongdoing, demonstrating his pivotal role.
"Anti-doping rules have to be very strict to be effective. Sadly the unfortunate consequence is that, occasionally, entirely innocent athletes get caught up in them."
“There is no question that Jannik is innocent in this case. The ITIA did not challenge that key principle. However, under strict liability rules Jannik is responsible for whatever is in his system, even when entirely unaware of it, as in this exceptional case."
However, Singer also has the ITIA on his client list. That appears to be a conflict of interest since he has represented both the investigative agency and the athlete it was investigating.
It is unclear how that situation was allowed to happen. Someone with Sinner's wealth could have afforded many other high-profile lawyers without any links to the ITIA. It seems like a question that the ITIA and Sinner need to be asked.
Yet, the links do not end there. Singer is the founding member of a law firm known as Onside Law, which has the ATP as one of its clients. While the ATP did not investigate the case, it could be argued that they have an interest in the World's No. 1 player not being found guilty.
The revelation about Sinner's lawyer only alarms skeptical people even more and casts further doubt about how the case was handled.
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