Tennis No. 1 Jannik Sinner Avoids Suspension After 2 Positive Tests, Nick Kyrgios Says He 'Should Be Gone'

Mar. 15, 2025

From Left: Jannik Sinner; and Nick Kyrgios.Photo:Minas Panagiotakis/Getty; Kelly Defina/Getty

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty; Kelly Defina/Getty

In March, Sinner, 23, tested positive for twice for a metabolite of clostebol, which is a banned anabolic steroid. But on Tuesday, Aug. 20 the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)announced in a press releasethat low levels of the banned performance-enhancing drug entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist.

“The player explained that the substance had entered their system as a result of contamination from a support team member,” the ITIA said, adding that Sinner said the application “result[ed] in unknowing transdermal contamination.”

However, the ITIA confirmed that the Italian player and reigning Australian Open champion will lose the $325,000 prize and 400 rankings points he earned from the ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells, Calif., where his first positive drug test occurred.

Jannik Sinner on June 04, 2024.Clive Brunskill/Getty

Clive Brunskill/Getty

“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” Sinner said. “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.”

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Longtime Australian player Nick Kyrgiosposted on X(formerly Twitter), “Ridiculous — whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance…you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…Yeah nice.”

Portuguese player Gastão Eliasposted, “Tennis is officially a joke!"

Additionally Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalovpostedthat there were “different rules for different players.” Headded, “Can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now.”

On Monday, Aug. 19, Sinner won the Cincinnati Open over Frances Tiafoe and is considered a favorite at the upcoming US Open, which officially begins play on Aug. 26 in New York City. Sinner made his debut at No. 1 in the ATP rankings in June, according toTennis.com.

source: people.com