Case closed but doping still in focus as Sinner nears end of ban

Agency :

As Jannik Sinner nears the end of a three-month doping ban that shook the tennis world, players are flocking to anti-doping authorities seeking advice on how to avoid positive tests due to contamination.

The Italian agreed a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency in February and began an immediate three-month suspension after authorities accepted that the anabolic agent clostebol had entered his system via massages from his physiotherapist.

“We have seen an increase of players asking for advice and assistance since the high-profile cases, and we are working on ways to make that easier,” the ITIA told Reuters.

“There are lots of resources that are available to assist with checking supplements and medications. If players, coaches and medical staff have questions, they can contact us.
“We are not trying to trip people up, our role is to protect the sport and maintain a level playing field.”

While Sinner’s case has led to heightened vigilance within the tennis fraternity, some players remain unhappy with how it was handled in the belief that the 23-year-old received favourable treatment.

Apart from his enforced period of idleness, Sinner has largely been unaffected by the uproar, winning the U.S. Open last year before successfully defending his Australian Open title in January.

In Rome, the world number one will aim to leave the doping saga behind him and build momentum for the French Open in late May.

“I’m sure that Jannik is an innocent and moral person … I believe in the ruling. Jannik has accepted these three months of sanction and so: case closed.”