Tennis fans were shocked to hear that Jannik Sinner tested positive for a banned substance, but his coach, Darren Cahill, has defended his player, saying he would never deliberately take anything he shouldn't.
It seemed like all the news around Sinner heading into the US Open would be positive after his Cincinnati Open final victory against Frances Tiafoe. It was the third Masters-1000 title of his career.
However, on Tuesday, the news of his two positive tests for clostebol, a banned substance, broke. Both positive tests happened in March during the Indian Wells Open, where he reached the semifinal.
Sinner did not receive a suspension and was cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation found he bore no fault for the clostebol entering his system. Only a billionth of a gram of the substance was in his body on each positive test.
In a statement, Sinner explained that his fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara, purchased trofodermin, an over-the-counter spray used to heal cuts. The Italian's physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, used it on a cut on his finger.
Sinner told investigators that a negligible amount of clostebol entered his system from the trofodermin Naldi used to give him massages without gloves. He was also adamant that he did not know Naldi had been using trofodermin.
The World No. 1 had his provisional suspension lifted upon appeal after each positive test. While Sinner did not receive a suspension, he did lose his ranking points and prize money from the Indian Wells Open. No other sanctions were applied to the 23-year-old.
Some players reacted to the news of Sinner's positive tests, and not all were happy. Nick Kyrgios called for him to be banned for two years, while others were unhappy with the process being kept secret for five months.
Unsurprisingly, Cahill is staying loyal to his player. The Australian defended Sinner's character, saying he would never knowingly take a banned substance and that he was put in an unfortunate position because of the whole incident.
"He would never ever intentionally do anything. He was in an unfortunate situation. The truth came out, no fault, no negligence, and hopefully he can put this behind him and get better."
Cahill also sought to clarify why Sinner was allowed to continue playing after he was initially provisionally suspended, which is an issue that has caused much controversy and heated debate among fans online.
Sinner's coach said they were able to locate where the incident took place and the details regarding the spray. The team provided enough information for Sinner to be allowed to keep playing.
That incident contrasts with Simona Halep's doping case. The Romanian was unable to recall the details of how the banned substance roxadustat entered her system, meaning there was no chance of her being able to play after her positive test.
Cahill's explanation will not satisfy all players and fans. Some are skeptical of Sinner's explanation; others think anyone with a positive test should be banned regardless of how it happened. Others have defended Sinner and believe he should be allowed to put the incident behind him.
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