Sinner wants to restore his reputation after revelation about banned drug

For Jannik Sinner, the US Open is not just another tennis tournament.

The fourth of the four majors may offer an opportunity to restore his reputation as a professional after he tested positive for an anabolic steroid twice earlier this year but avoided a ban by the International Tennis Integrity Agency.

“In my head I knew that I [hadn’t] something wrong. I knew I was very clean, and I knew I always looked forward to [being] “I am a fair player,” said the ATP world number one during his press conference on Friday at the US Open media day in Flushing Meadows.

“Apparently [this notification] Coming out … it could change a lot, but anyone who knows me well knows that I have done nothing and would never do anything [that] violates the rules.”

The ITIA announced Tuesday that Sinner failed tests for clostebol in March – once during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, and once out of competition shortly after the tournament.

Clostebol is the substance that Major League Baseball banned San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. for 80 games in 2022 and 2023.

The ITIA launched an investigation which revealed that a member of Sinner's team used an over-the-counter spray containing Clostebol components and that the substance entered the 23-year-old's body through massage treatments. For this reason, the agency decided not to suspend the Italian.

For this reason, however, Sinner has fired his fitness coach Umberto Ferrara and his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, The Athletic reported on Friday.

“I know who is my friend and who is not,” Sinner said. “Because my friends know that I would never do that, and [we stick] together. As far as reputation goes, we'll see how it goes, right? Because I can't really control that.”

Immediately after the announcement, Sinner and ITIA were criticized for alleged dishonesty and a lack of transparency in the investigation process.

The most notable critics were Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov, who both posted messages on X (formerly Twitter).

Frances Tiafoe, who lost to Sinner in the final of the Cincinnati Open last week before the results of the investigation were released, was essentially reserved when asked about his reaction to the verdict and criticism.

“He's obviously an incredible player and, you know, the governing bodies made a decision. They did that. He's allowed to play. You know, that's pretty much all I have to say about it,” Tiafoe said. “…I've been super busy this week just taking care of all the things that I have to do. Yeah, I mean, a lot of people have spoken out and said things about it.”