“A huge coincidence” – Netizens raise doubts over Jannik Sinner’s physio’s role in the Italian tennis star testing positive for banned substance

Jannik Sinner's physio Giacomo Naldi was under a similar controversy in Italian basketball during his time there.

“A huge coincidence” – Netizens raise doubts over Jannik Sinner’s physio’s role in the Italian tennis star testing positive for banned substance

Jannik Sinner (via X)

World No.1 Jannik Sinner is dominating the tennis headlines for all the wrong reasons as he escaped a potential ban after testing positive twice for a banned substance. The Italian’s drug controversy began with a positive test for clostebol during the Indian Wells tournament.

A second test eight days later also showed low levels of the same substance. Sinner initially faced a provisional suspension but successfully challenged it, allowing him to continue competing.

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The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) determined that Sinner’s positive tests were due to accidental contamination. His physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, had used an over-the-counter spray on his own hand and then treated Sinner.

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An independent tribunal found that Sinner was not at fault or negligent. Although he was cleared of intentional wrongdoing, Sinner will lose the ranking points and prize money from his semi-final performance at Indian Wells.

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Netizens raise doubts over Jannik Sinner’s physiotherapist

As soon as the investigations started on Jannik Sinner‘s drug scandal, there was one name on the lips of every tennis fan. The investigation showed that the substance came from a medical spray his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, used. Naldi, with experience from Virtus Bologna, faced scrutiny over his knowledge of the spray’s effects.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via X)

Check out some reactions here:

https://twitter.com/edgeAIapp/status/1825937047317786698

Despite the ITIA’s conclusion that the contamination was accidental, questions arose about Naldi’s awareness. His background in Italian basketball, where similar cases occurred, suggested he might have been aware of the risks associated with clostebol.

Controversies also surround Darren Cahill, who was Simona Halep‘s coach. The Romanian tennis player got suspended for a similar case in 2022. Many tennis fans have expressed sympathy for Halep over getting treated differently to Sinner.

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