In June 2024, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), on behalf of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), reported an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) against the tennis player Jannik Sinner after two of his samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Clostebol.
Following notification of both positive tests, twice a provisional suspension was imposed and later lifted on each occasion. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the ITF Independent Tribunal.
The Athlete accepted the test results and denied that the violation was intentional. He argued that he acted with No Fault or Negligence and requested that no period of ineligibility shall be imposed.
The Athlete demonstrated that the substance entered his body inadvertently and unaware to him and his physiotherapist. At the material time his physiotherapist had used a Trofodermin spray, containing Clostebol, to treat a cut on his own finger. Thereupon the physiotherapist gave daily full-body massages to the Athlete without using gloves and via skin-to-skin contact he exposed him to contamination. The medical spray was purchased by the Athlete's fitness coach and provided to the physiotherapist to treat his injury.
The ITIA accepted that the violation was not intentional and that the Athlete demonstrated how the substance had entered his body. Moreover, anti-doping experts considered it plausible that the Athlete's positive tests had been caused by inadvertent contamination.
The Panel assessed and addressed the evidence and the issues raised by the Parties and determines that:
- The Athlete had a high level of awareness about anti-doping matters.
- The Athlete was right to assume that his team was aware of the anti-doping matters.
- He had no reason to suspect the physiotherapist was in possession of the Trofodermin spray, nor that he was using the spray, nor there was any doping risk when he received treatment.
- Independent experts confirmed the plausibility of the Athlete's explanation.
- The Athlete has exercised utmost caution and has done all that is possible to avoid a positive test result.
Therefore the Panel decides on 19 August 2024 that the Athlete has established No Fault or Negligence and that no period of ineligibility was imposed.
