Aussie coach Darren Cahill says Jannik Sinner is innocent victim in doping scandal

Australian coach Darren Cahill insists world No.1 Jannik Sinner is the victim in a drug scandal that has rocked world tennis on the eve of the US Open. He explains why Sinner is not to blame.

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 18: Darren Cahill watches Jannik Sinner of Italy play Alexander Zverev of Germany during the semifinals on Day 8 of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by MATTHEW STOCKMAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Australian coach Darren Cahill insists world No.1 Jannik Sinner’s legacy won’t be tainted after he was cleared of a doping scandal that has rocked world tennis on the eve of the US Open grand slam in New York.

The Australian Open champion was revealed to have been cleared under a “no fault” policy of two infractions in March, after he tested positive for low levels of anabolic agent clostebol.

Fellow players Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov reacted with outrage to the decision. Sinner secured a secret temporary lifting of his provisional doping ban while both cases were investigated by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

“Ridiculous — whether it was accidental or planned,” wrote Kyrgios on X.

“You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance … you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream … Yeah nice.”

Sinner and his legal team proved his positive tests were the result of contamination and he had no fault or negligence in the cases.

Darren Cahill watches Jannik Sinner train at Wimbledon. Picture: Getty Images

It was claimed that Sinner’s physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, had been applying an over-the-counter Italian spray to a cut on his own hand after slicing his finger on a scalpel at Indian Wells.

The antiseptic spray - supplied by physical trainer Umberto Ferrara, who had it for his own personal use - was identified as the source of the contamination. Naldi continued to treat Sinner throughout the tournament while his cut was healing, resulting in a positive result of less than a billionth of a gram in his system.

Darren Cahill watches Jannik Sinner play during the Cincinnati Open. Picture: Getty Images

“Everybody has to know Jannik had no part in this at all,” Cahill, who has coached Sinner since mid-2022, told ESPN.

“He didn’t ingest anything, he didn’t take any tablets, he didn’t intend to cheat. Somehow he has tested positive through this connection to this particular spray from Giacomo through to Jannik.

“We don’t know how. Working on the feet, a massage, whatever it may be and he has given two positive results because of that.

“Jannik, myself and the other team members had no idea this spray existed and had never seen it before.”

Sinner’s team at the Australian Open from left physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, fitness coach Umberto Ferrara, coach Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill. Picture: Getty Images

Cahill could not answer why Ferrara was carrying a medicinal product that contained a banned substance, especially one which has been linked to multiple anti-doping cases in Italy.

No decision has been made on whether Ferrara or Naldi will be been sacked by Sinner, although neither are in New York for the US Open.

“We are all really well-read in anti-doping and WADA rules and Umberto has been in the game for 15 years,” Cahill said.

“He has got degrees, he has owned a pharmacy in Italy, he has worked with many players. He is in charge of Jannik’s anti-doping, his diet, his physical training, everything surrounding Jannik off the court.

“I can’t answer that question, I don’t know why (he had the banned spray). I’m sure he had it for his personal reasons and should not have been passed on to Giacomo.

“At the moment it is only Simone (Vagnozzi) and I, the two tennis coaches, that are here and we are supporting Jannik at the moment.

“It is just 24 hours old (news he has been formally cleared), we’ve just been surviving day to day the last few months.

“We will keep pushing forward and see what happens.”

Sinner celebrates his Australian Open win with his entourage last January. Picture: Getty Images

The doping case was kept quiet for five months, with Cahill among the select few knowing the dark secret while Sinner was allowed to keep playing on the ATP tour.

Cahill, who also publicly supported his former player and friend Simona Halep when she faced doping charges last year, knows the tennis world will have opinions about Sinner’s guilt or innocence, yet is adamant the 23-year-old was the victim.

“That’s okay, I think everybody is entitled to an opinion,” Cahill said.

“I know it’s a highly sensitive issue for all people, players, coaches and fans.

“I will stress, he is the most professional young man I’ve worked with.

“He is the innocent victim of a situation that is highly unfortunate.

“He is paying a big price with this coming out.

“I think over time this won’t affect his legacy in the game.

“I feel really bad he has to go through this as he doesn’t deserve this.”

Sinner has won several titles in 2024, including the Cincinnati Open last week in Mason, Ohio. Picture: Getty Images

Cahill revealed Sinner’s team were able to secure secrecy around his infraction because it took them just “five minutes” to identify the possible source of contamination and apply for a special exemption ruling; whereas other cases, such as Halep’s, required a much longer investigation to pinpoint potential mitigating circumstances.

Sinner’s legal team organised an emergency meeting with Sports Resolutions within days of being notified of the positive test, which allowed him to continue to play while his case was further investigated.

Cahill said the ordeal weighed heavily on Sinner, who suffered mentally and physically from the stress while trying to clear his name, which led to an illness that forced him out of the Paris Olympics.

The coach said the ITIA and Sinner’s own team had three independent experts investigate his claims and all determined his explanation was reasonable.

The secrecy of the ban has prompted accusations of favouritism for the world No.1.

Much like the Chinese swimming doping scandal, the concerns are as much about transparency as they are about the logic attached to the contamination rulings.

Sinner’s temporary suspensions were never announced and the news only came out after the public statement announcing that he had been cleared of any blame.

Cahill was Simona Halep’s coach for many years, but parted ways well before she failed a doping test in August 2022. Picture: AFP

Cahill insisted Sinner had received no special favours and had sat through six-hour-long interrogations to clear his name.

“It stayed quiet because we believed he was innocent,” he said.

“There was a lot riding on the fact that if this thing got out without context it was not great.

“Everyone made sure only the people knew who had to know.

“It’s been challenging and difficult.”

Cahill said there was only one benefit Sinner had from his profile and ranking in fighting the doping ban.

“It makes it a little bit easier for someone highly ranked because you can afford to fight this case properly and fairly,” he said.

“A player ranked 300 or 1000, they just don’t have the funds.”

Originally published as Aussie coach Darren Cahill says Jannik Sinner is innocent victim in doping scandal