“Seems Jannik Sinner being rich helped him afford a better legal team” – Fans back Italian as former ATP anti-doping head’s assessment comes to light

Jannik Sinner’s recent doping controversy was evaluated by Richard Ings, the former ATP anti-doping chief and CEO of Australia’s anti-doping authority. Ings rejected the persistent claims from some within the tennis community that authorities attempted to cover up the Italian player’s two positive tests for clostebol, a banned substance.

His statement brought clarity to the controversy, prompting fans to share their perspectives.

On Tuesday, August 20, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed that the Italian player tested positive for clostebol on two occasions in March this year. The first test occurred during the 23-year-old’s participation in the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, where he advanced to the semifinals.

The second test was conducted shortly after his Indian Wells campaign concluded, just before his victory at the Miami Open.

In April, a provisional suspension was imposed on the reigning Australian Open champion. However, Sinner’s legal team immediately appealed the decision, and the suspension was quickly lifted.

Sinner argued that the banned substance was accidentally absorbed through his skin due to lesions on his body after his physiotherapist applied a massage.

Evidence from Sinner’s legal defense indicated that the physiotherapist used a spray containing clostebol to treat a cut on his finger and did not wear gloves while massaging the Italian.

The disclosure of these details triggered widespread outrage, with numerous players and fans alleging that Jannik Sinner received preferential treatment. Others questioned the delay in making the developments public, suggesting that authorities were attempting to keep the case hidden from the public eye.

However, Ings has dismissed those conspiracy theories, stating that Jannik Sinner’s case was managed strictly in accordance with the established rules and regulations.

“I read the decision, and the rules were followed to the letter. Sinner was provisionally suspended. His lawyers launched a same-day appeal for urgent lifting of the provisional suspension based on evidence he had no fault. An expedited hearing in such cases is a feature of the rules. An arbitrator heard the appeal and handed down his decision to lift the suspension. No announcement can be made under the rules now until the matter is heard in full by a tribunal. So he can play,” – Ings told Ubitennis

Fans on Reddit later expressed how the insights from a credible figure like Ings helped them grasp the complexities of the case, explaining why it wasn’t publicized sooner. One fan commented,

“So this also answers the question of why this verdict was even announced at all 4 months later (the ATP was required to strip his points, so of course they can’t retroactively do that without telling everyone),” a fan wrote.

“Seems like Sinner being rich helped him afford a better legal team which navigated the matter better than in the case of less privileged, lower ranking players? Not saying this is right but that’s how things work for the rich in every legal battle,” commented another fan.

“Darren Cahill even acknowledged this in his interview with ESPN. Said Jannik’s success and finances allowed him to seek the best advice and he was able to get the best outcome as a result, which isn’t necessarily available to everyone on tour who doesn’t have the means,” another chimed in.

“The process and outcome was also super similar to a case earlier in the year for a much lower ranked player – so can technically be achieved without being number 1,” added another fan, referring to the case of doubles specialist Marco Bortolotti.

Another set of fans ridiculed Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov and Tennys Sandgren, who all criticized the ITIA’s decision with regards to Jannik Sinnner’s case.

“Hey, why listen to the former head of atp antidoping when you can stir s**t up along with your boy Kyrgios?” asked a fan, sarcastically.

“Nick “I can’t believe she left me and now is with Sinner” Kyrgios, homeboy was beefing on twitter about their relationships when he found out (then deleted the posts)” another fan commented.

“I find it rather delicious that we’re not even mentioning Shapovalov,” weighed in another.

“And Tennys Sandgren! The guy was trying hard to be relevant yesterday, let’s not forget him!!!” another added.

Despite Ings’ assessment and the thorough explanations provided by coach Darren Cahill, Jannik Sinner’s 2024 US Open campaign is likely to face heightened scrutiny.