World No. 1 Jannik Sinner Won't Face Suspension After Failing 2 Tests for PEDs

World No. 1 men's singles player Jannik Sinner will not face a suspension after failing multiple tests for the performance-enhancing drug Clostebol, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced Tuesday.

"I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me," Sinner said in a statement. "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."

Nick Kyrgios called the decision "ridiculous" and said that Sinner should be "gone for 2 years."

Sinner tested positive for Clostebol twice during and after competition at the Indian Wells Open in March, the ITIA announced.

The Italian tennis star said the substance entered his system through a spray, sold over the counter in Italy, which was applied by a staff member to an open wound.

After applying the spray the staff member "provided daily massages and sports therapy to Sinner, resulting in unknowing transdermal contamination," according to the tennis star's explanation shared by ITIA.

The ITIA described this explanation as "credible" and concluded Sinner's rule violation was "not intentional."

The organization noted that Sinner and his team "fully cooperated" with the investigation.

Sinner also said in his statement that he "accepts" the loss of his ranking points and prize money from Indian Wells, where he finished as the runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz.

In its response, the ATP said it was "encouraged that no fault or negligence" was found on Sinner's behalf.

"We would also like to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and independent evaluation of the facts under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), which has allowed him to continue competing," the ATP said.

The ATP added that the investigation "underscores the need for players and their entourages to take utmost care in the use of products or treatments."

The decision was made by an independent tribunal. The ITIA said it would not appeal the ruling, but noted the decision could still face appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency or the national anti-doping agency of Italy.

Sinner has been able to keep playing throughout the independent tribunal's investigation by repeatedly appealing provisional suspensions applied to him by the ITIA.

The 23-year-old defeated Frances Tiafoe in straight sets on Monday to claim the Cincinnati Open title in a tournament he described as "tough mentally."

The independent tribunal's decision will now allow Sinner to compete in the U.S. Open, which starts Monday in New York. He is looking to win his second major title after defeating Daniil Medvedev in January to win the 2024 Australian Open.