The men’s world No. 1 tennis player, Jannik Sinner, was cleared of doping charges last week, but his treatment by the game’s authorities is in contrast to Polish player Kamil Majchrzak, who similarly failed a doping test but was subsequently cleared.
Sinner successfully argued that his two failed anti-doping tests in March at Indian Wells were due to contamination from his physiotherapist. His case was not made public until Tuesday.
In an independent tribunal last week, a panel concluded that Sinner bore “no fault or negligence” for the positive results, which showed trace amounts of the banned substance clostebol, an anabolic androgenic steroid.
Sinner's defense centered on his fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara, who had purchased Trofodermin, an over-the-counter spray used for healing cuts. While staying at a villa in Indian Wells before the Masters 1000 event, Sinner’s physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, accidentally cut his finger with a scalpel on March 3.
In an independent tribunal last week, a panel concluded that Sinner bore “no fault or negligence” for the positive results, which showed trace amounts of the banned substance clostebol, an anabolic androgenic steroid.
Sinner's defense centered on his fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara, who had purchased Trofodermin, an over-the-counter spray used for healing cuts. While staying at a villa in Indian Wells before the Masters 1000 event, Sinner’s physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, accidentally cut his finger with a scalpel on March 3.
After the bandage was removed, Naldi applied Ferrara’s Trofodermin to the cut each morning between March 5 and 13. During this time, Naldi continued to give Sinner full-body massages and bandaged his feet.
Sinner’s case has caused a stir in the tennis world, with several other players feeling aggrieved over perceived unequal treatment.
Poland’s Majchrzak (168th ATP) was immediately suspended after receiving a positive anti-doping test result in 2022. He fought his case for several months and was cleared of the charges in the end.
However, he lost his position in the world ranking and is currently rebuilding it from scratch.
Majchrzak spoke about Sinner's case, publishing a long message on InstaStories.
“It turns out that others can play normally and fulfill their dreams in the same situation... I am devastated and shocked. But as I mentioned, maybe I am wrong. Besides, who cares what a player from lower rankings thinks,” Majchrzak added.
Majchrzak’s feelings on the treatment of Sinner were echoed by several other players.
“I can't imagine what every other player who has been suspended for tainted substances is feeling right now,” said Canadian Denis Shapovalov (105th ATP).
High profile Australian player Nick Kyrgios said: “Ridiculous - whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…. Yeah nice.”
Former world No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova said on social media: “People remember the cases of Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep... Everyone is equal, but some are more equal.”
Former world No. 1 Evgeny Kafelnikov said: “By taking away his points, they basically admitted that Sinner was taking something forbidden. Doping is evil. I don't like it at all.”
The case of Kamil Majchrzak
Sinner’s case has caused a stir in the tennis world, with several other players feeling aggrieved over perceived unequal treatment.
Poland’s Majchrzak (168th ATP) was immediately suspended after receiving a positive anti-doping test result in 2022. He fought his case for several months and was cleared of the charges in the end.
However, he lost his position in the world ranking and is currently rebuilding it from scratch.
Majchrzak spoke about Sinner's case, publishing a long message on InstaStories.
— Kamil Majchrzak (@KamilMajchrzakk) August 21, 2024“It is shocking and exceptionally painful for me. I am not going into details for my own health and mental comfort, but the fact is that for most of the duration of my case I could not even set foot on a non-private court…”, he wrote on social media.
“It turns out that others can play normally and fulfill their dreams in the same situation... I am devastated and shocked. But as I mentioned, maybe I am wrong. Besides, who cares what a player from lower rankings thinks,” Majchrzak added.
Other players feel aggrieved
Majchrzak’s feelings on the treatment of Sinner were echoed by several other players.
“I can't imagine what every other player who has been suspended for tainted substances is feeling right now,” said Canadian Denis Shapovalov (105th ATP).
High profile Australian player Nick Kyrgios said: “Ridiculous - whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…. Yeah nice.”
Former world No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova said on social media: “People remember the cases of Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep... Everyone is equal, but some are more equal.”
Former world No. 1 Evgeny Kafelnikov said: “By taking away his points, they basically admitted that Sinner was taking something forbidden. Doping is evil. I don't like it at all.”
Source: sport.pl, The Mail, The Guardian
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