Sinner fights the pile-on; maintains total innocence

Jannik Sinner maintained his total innocence in his March drug contamination case, with the world No. 1 insisting on Friday that his conscience is clear.

The Italian was found innocent of doping after he twice tested positive at Indian Wells for a one-billionth of a gramme particle of a banned steroid used in ointments to heal cuts.

The top seed at the US Open also revealed that he is no longer working with the two staff members who caused the problem involving the dodgy ointment.

“It got into the player’s system from a cut on his physio’s hand which had been treated with an over-the-counter medication legal in Italy but under prescription in much of the rest of Europe.\banned     

“Physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi and fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara have not travelled with the team for the current North American swing in Canada, Cincinnati and New York.

While praising the Italian pair as “a great part of my career,” Sinner added:

“Because of these mistakes, I’m not feeling that confident to continue with them. 

“The only thing I just need right now, just some clean air. I was struggling a lot in the last months. Now I was waiting for the result, and now I just need some clean air.”

Coaches Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi will support the player as he bids for a first title at the Open under the most trying of psychological circumstances.

“It’s not ideal before a Grand Slam. But in my mind I know that I haven’t done anything wrong,” Sinner said.

“I had to play already months with this in my head, but, just remembering myself that I haven’t done really anything wrong. 

“I always will respect these rules of anti-doping. It’s obviously a relief for myself having this (innocent) result.

“I will just try to enjoy as much as I can and hopefully have a good
tournament.”