'Should be gone for years': Kyrgios leads backlash as world No.1 ...

World number one Jannik Sinner tested positive for a banned steroid but won’t serve a ban despite failing two anti-doping tests.

The Italian tennis star shared a statement on Tuesday, hours after winning the Cincinnati Open, revealing he had tested positive for Clostebol earlier this year.

The statement revealed Sinner tested positive for a trace element of the anabolic steroid – less than a billionth of a gram – while competing at the Indian Wells Masters on March 10.

A further sample, conducted eight days later out of competition, also tested positive for low levels of the same metabolite.

An investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) found he had “inadvertently” been exposed to the substance through his physiotherapist.

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World number one tennis star Jannik Sinner tested positive to a banned steroid earlier this year, but won’t serve a ban. Picture: Matthew Stockman / Gerry Images via AFPSource: AFP

“ (Jannik’s) fitness trainer purchased a product, easily available over the counter in any Italian pharmacy, which he gave to Jannik’s physiotherapist to care for a cut on the physiotherapist’s finger,” the statement read.

“Jannik knew nothing of this, and his physiotherapist did not know that he was using a product containing Clostebol.

“The physiotherapist treated Jannik without gloves and coupled with various skin lesions on Jannik’s body caused the inadvertent contamination.”

The ITIA insisted Sinner was “innocent” and “not at fault”.

While the 23-year-old Italian has been cleared of any wrongdoing, he will be stripped of his results, prize money and ranking points from Indian Wells, in accordance with the anti-doping rules in force.

“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” Sinner said in a statement shared on his social media channels.

“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.”

Some players have been quick to voice their displeasure over Sinner being let off the hook.

Among them is Nick Kyrgios, who slammed the decision as “ridiculous”.

“Ridiculous - whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years,” Kyrgios wrote. “Your performance was enhanced.”

Dennis Shapovalov was also critical, posting a cryptic tweet that read: “Different rules for different players.”

Earlier he posted a separate tweet saying he “can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now.”

Meanwhile, the ATP also shared a statement on social media.

“We are encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part. We would also like to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and independent evaluation of the facts under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), which has allowed him to continue competing.

“This has been a challenging matter for Jannik and his team, and underscores the need for players and their entourages to take utmost care in the use of products or treatments. Integrity is paramount in our sport.”