Earlier this week, the world's men's tennis was abuzz with the news that Jannik Sinner tested positive for banned substances twice in early 2024. However, the Italian tennis player was not banned from competing.
Specifically, Sinner first tested positive for a banned substance (clostebol) on March 10, at the Indian Wells tournament. Eight days later, even though he did not participate in any events, his second sample also tested positive.
He was only temporarily suspended after each positive test. The 22-year-old tennis player appealed both times and was allowed to continue playing. Ultimately, he was cleared of any wrongdoing when the International Tennis Integrity Committee (ITIA) accepted his explanation.
Accordingly, they determined that Sinner was "not at fault" and was only "accidentally" contaminated with a banned substance because the therapist used a drug to treat the pain and then massaged him.
Although not banned from competing, ITIA added that Sinner's results, prize money and ranking points from the ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells were all canceled.
In addition to many players reacting to the fact that Sinner was not banned from playing, there are questions about why he did not lose the No. 1 position on the ATP rankings to Novak Djokovic.
Last week, when it was not announced that Sinner tested positive for a banned substance and he had not yet won the Cincinnati championship, the Italian player's score was 8,770. Meanwhile, Djokovic ranked 2nd, with 8,460 points.
That means, with a deduction of 400 points ( Sinner reached the semi-finals of Indian Wells), he will have to return the No. 1 position to Nole. Meaning, the 37-year-old Serbian tennis player will have his 429th week ranked No. 1 in the world.
However, ATP's answer is no, Sinner has his 10th week at the top of the world men's tennis rankings.
According to famous journalist Ben Rothenberg, he received an answer from the ATP that the deduction of points will start next week.
Therefore, even if the deducted points start to be calculated next week, Djokovic still cannot regain the No. 1 position, because after the Cincinnati championship, this week, Sinner has 9,360 points.
Next week, Djokovic will also be deducted 2,000 points when entering the 2024 US Open, when he is the defending champion.
