"Only top players matter" - Jannik Sinner escaping ban despite failed drug tests called out by Tara Moore who served 19-month suspension

Tara Moore called out Jannik Sinner after he was allowed to play even after failing drug tests. Sinner failed a drug test at the Indian Wells Masters, where he reached the semifinals, before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.

On August 20, it was revealed that the World No. 1 had failed two drug tests but was cleared to play by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). During the Indian Wells Masters, the Italian tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid called Clostebol. However, he had just one billionth of a gram in his urine sample, which was deemed not to have a performance-enhancing effect by an independent panel.

Tara Moore, who was banned for 19 months after testing positive for nandrolone metabolites and boldenone in 2022, was not happy with the way Sinner's case was handled as compared to hers. She lamented the differential treatment being meted out towards her while she was fighting doping charges.

"I guess only the top players images matter. I guess only the independent tribunal’s opinion on the top players is taken as sound and right. Yet they question them in my case. Just makes no sense," Moore said about the controversy.

Sinner's entourage claimed that his physio, Giacomo Naldi, massaged him bare-handed after using a spray named Trofodermin (which contains Clostebol acetate). Scientific experts have accepted this reasoning. It is worth noting that many Italian over-the-counter products contain Clostebol. Due to this, as many as 38 Italian athletes have tested positive for this substance between 2019 and 2023.

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Jannik Sinner hopes to put a 'challenging and deeply unfortunate period' behind him

Jannik Sinner's doping controversy (Image: Getty)

Jannik Sinner was embroiled in controversy regarding the failed drug tests. An independent tribunal announced that the 'player bears No Fault or Negligence' and hence has been allowed to compete. However, he would be docked the ranking points (400) and prize money ($325,000) for Indian Wells Masters.

Now the Italian hopes to put it all behind him and vowed to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping program.

“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me. 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,” he said in a statement.

Jannik Sinner recently won the 2024 Cincinnati Open, defeating Frances Tiafoe in the final. He will now gear up for the final Slam of the year, the US Open.