“They had to invent a story,” Doping expert criticizes Jannik Sinner as he evades ban despite two positive tests for banned steroid

Doping expert Fritz Sorgel slammed Jannik Sinner for avoiding a ban, accusing the Italian of deliberate doping.

“They had to invent a story,” Doping expert criticizes Jannik Sinner as he evades ban despite two positive tests for banned steroid

Jannik Sinner (Image via X)

Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for a banned substance but avoided suspension after he explained he accidentally used the anabolic steroid. Doping expert Fritz Sorgel, however, is not ready to believe it. Sorgel did not mince his words while taking a brutal dig at Sinner and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) as he feels they ‘invented’ the story to protect the Italian. 

Sinner, during the investigation by an independent tribunal, explained that to treat a minor wound, he used a spray that is easily available over the counter in Italy. The spray had clostebol, the banned substance, in it and was given to him by his physiotherapist during Indian Wells. The two tests were done during and after Indian Wells.

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The problem is that everyone who runs tennis normally issues short sentences and protects their athletes. Here it was apparently a bit more complicated, and they had to invent a story about Sinner, which they then got away with. 
Fritz Sorgel told Sky Sport De 

As Sinner evaded a harsh punishment, it raised many eyebrows. Not just fans, even former and current players are not holding themselves back while launching an attack on Sinner as they very well remember what had happened to Simona Halep. 

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Halep found herself in a similar situation, having ‘unintentionally’ taken a banned performance-enhancing substance and the ITIA initially banned her for four years, but after her continuous appeal to the Court of Arbitration (CAS), her suspension was reduced to nine months.

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Fritz Sorgel accuses Jannik Sinner of deliberate doping

Fritz Sorgel said Jannik Sinner had made up a story just like those athletes who have faced doping charges. Sorgel accused the 23-year-old of using the drug for deliberate doping.

Jannik SInner
Jannik SInner (Image via Imago)
My theory is that the ointment with the anabolic steroid is massaged into the skin and that promotes regeneration. That's ideal because, in low doses, it penetrates the skin and reaches exactly where the inflammation or injury is.
Fritz Sorgel said

Sorgel also feels Sinner playing at the US Open is ‘unacceptable’. Sinner will be the top seed at Flushing Meadows for the first time. Sinner also issued a statement on his social media. Unfortunately for the Italian, the controversy overshadowed his Cincinnati Open win which he lifted a day before.

As Sinner has been performing consistently since the start of the year, it gave rise to ‘conspiracy theories’. Some fans suspect that Sinner has lifted five titles this year, including the Australian Open, because he used the performance-enhancing substance.

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