"Jannik Sinner will be scrutinized for the rest of his career" - Serena Williams' ex-coach on Italian escaping drugs ban after two failed tests

Serena Williams' former coach, Rennae Stubbs, weighed in on World No. 1 Jannik Sinner avoiding a drug ban despite two failed tests. The former doubles specialist said Sinner will now be "scrutinized" for the rest of his career because of this.

Shortly after Sinner's ATP Masters 1000 title win at the Cincinnati Open, it was revealed by The International Tennis Integrity that the Italian had tested positive for a banned substance twice in March. However, he was cleared of any misconduct after he proved that the contamination was caused by his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi.

The reigning Australian Open champion first tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol during the BNP Paribas Open, and for a second time eight days later. Although provisionally suspended, he successfully appealed both cases and continued playing while the tribunal reviewed the evidence.

After the conclusion of the hearing on August 19, Sinner has been stripped of the 400 ranking points and $325,000 he earned at Indian Wells.

Several prominent tennis figures such as Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov have commented on Jannik Sinner's doping controversy, with Rennae Stubbs being the latest. Speaking with ESPN, the Australian said that while the 23-year-old will be "scrutinized," it is crucial to trust the official process and accept the verdict.

"He [Jannik Sinner] will be scrutinized now for the rest of his career sadly, because of this, what happened," Stubbs said.

"But at the same time, he would have under full investigation for this and they have cleared him. They have found that the things that he talked about and his physio talked about, explaining why it happened, they believe. So, we have to believe that the investigation was done thoroughly, and that's why now he has been cleared of it," she added.

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"It's not like they are giving Jannik Sinner free pass, this happened in past with many players" - Rennae Stubbs

Jannik Sinner (Source: Getty)

In the same conversation with ESPN, Rennae Stubbs claimed that the investigation into Jannik Sinner's doping case was thoroughly conducted, and that no favoritism was involved. She cited the doping suspensions of Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep to back that up.

"It goes through a very, very tight investigation," Stubbs said. "It's not like they are like, 'Well, we like him. Let's just let him keep playing.' That's not how it works. We have seen that with players in the past. Very well known players: Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep."

The Aussie added:

"I mean, these are enormously popular tennis players. So, it's not like they are giving him a free pass. This has happened in the past with many, many players."

Sinner will next play at the US Open, which runs from August 26 to September 8. He is considered one of the favorites, alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and others, to win the title at Flushing Meadows.