Top seeded Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner will take part in the US Open amid a wave of controversy after it was announced that the 2024 Australian Open winner will not be suspended after testing positive for an anabolic steroid twice in March.

Last week, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced its decision that Sinner was not at fault for two anti-doping violations in March, when he tested positive for the banned substance clostebol twice within an eight-day period.

Jannik Sinner strikes back in the first round of the US Open on August 27, 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Both times a provisional ban was imposed, but Sinner successfully appealed against both bans and was able to continue competing.

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The news came after Sinner wins the Cincinnati Open and shortly after the US Open, which sparked much speculation in the tennis community as to why the matter was seemingly kept under wraps and whether there was a double standard in this case due to his success.

But eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi defended Sinner in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

“Was that essential? I don’t think it was essential, and I don’t think he would ever take the risk of using that little of it — that’s not possible,” he said. “Nobody would intentionally take that risk. So I believe it.”

The investigation reportedly found that there was less than a billionth of a gram of it in Sinner’s body. He said he was contaminated with the substance when his fitness coach in Italy bought an over-the-counter spray containing Clostebol and gave it to Sinner’s physical therapist to treat a cut on the physical therapist’s finger. The physical therapist then treated Sinner without wearing gloves.

Italian Jannik Sinner is pictured during the first round of the US Open on August 27, 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

US Open winner Andre Agassi believes that American tennis in men’s singles is close to a Grand Slam breakthrough

While some players questioned the explanation, others called for a suspension and more consistency. But Agassi disagrees based on the facts in Sinner’s case.

“If you’re cheating on performance enhancement, you’re not going to intentionally put a billionth of a gram of anything into your body. If that’s your goal, you’re going to benefit from the performance-enhancing drug,” he said.

Agassi challenged those with Concerns about the process to focus their attention on the system rather than the player. He added that Sinner’s ability to continue playing despite the ongoing proceedings was something that all players should be granted.

Andre Agassi celebrates his victory after the men’s singles final of the Australian Open on January 26, 2003. (Nick Laham/Getty Images)

“It’s not like if you miss three Tests or don’t play three Tests, you react immediately – like we’ve seen with some players, right? In any due process, it’s always kept quiet unless a player voluntarily wants to talk about it. And his ability to play while it’s being appealed is not necessarily a rule, it’s a law.”

“It’s sad for the sport,” Agassi added. “I never like when news like that comes out. I never like anyone having to go through that. I’m sure it was a terrible time for Jannik to carry the burden of that and I hope everyone tries to resolve an issue; if there is an issue. … I think the sooner we put this behind us the better. This guy is great for the sport and I don’t think he’s cheating.”

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Sinner, 23, insisted he did not intentionally violate the ITIA’s anti-doping guidelines and has since separated from the two members of his team at the centre of the controversy.

Jannik Sinner reacts after scoring a point against Mackenzie McDonald during the US Open on August 27, 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

“Of course, it’s not ideal before a Grand Slam,” Sinner said at a press conference before his first-round match. “But in my head I know I didn’t do anything wrong. I had to play with that thought in my head for months, but I just reminded myself I didn’t do anything wrong. I always respect those rules and I will always respect those anti-doping rules.”

Sinner reached the second round of the US Open this week after a lackluster win over American Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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