Jannik Sinner looks to recoup his reputation after banned drug revelation

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

The fourth of the four majors presents an opportunity for him to reset his professional reputation after he twice tested positive for an anabolic steroid earlier this year but avoided suspension by the International Tennis Integrity Agency.

“In my mind I knew that I [hadn’t] done anything wrong. I knew that I was very clean, and I knew that I was always looking forward to [being] a fair player,” the ATP’s No. 1- ranked player in the world said during his media availability Friday at the U.S. Open’s Media Day in Flushing Meadows.

“Obviously, [this notification] coming out . . . it might change a couple of things, but whoever knows me very well knows that I haven’t done and I would never do something [that] goes against the rules.”

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

Clostebol is the substance that drew an 80-game suspension for San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. from Major League Baseball in 2022 and 2023.

ITIA began an investigation that found that a member of Sinner’s team used an over-the-counter spray that contained elements of clostebol, and that the substance was passed into the 23-year-old’s body through massage treatments. That’s why the agency chose not to suspend the Italian.

As a result, Sinner fired his fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, and physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, The Athletic reported Friday.

“I know who is my friend and who is not my friend,” Sinner said. “Because my friends, they know that I would never do that, and [we stick] together. About the reputation, we will see now, now moving forward, no? Because this I can’t really control.”

In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, Sinner and ITIA have received criticism for perceived dishonesty and a lack of transparency in the investigatory process.

The most notable critics have been Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov, both of whom posted messages on X (formerly Twitter).

Frances Tiafoe, who lost to Sinner in the Cincinnati Open final last week, before the results of the investigation were publicized, essentially demurred when he was asked for his reaction to the ruling and the criticisms.

“Obviously, he’s an incredible player, and, you know, government bodies made a decision. They went and did that. He’s cleared to play. You know, that’s pretty much what I have to say about it,” Tiafoe said. “ . . . I’ve been super-busy this week just taking care of all of the stuff I’ve got to do. Yeah, I mean, a lot of people have spoken out and said things about it.”