In the wake of Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension for testing positive for Clostebol, former world number one Andy Roddick has shed light on a similar case involving another tennis player. Speaking on his podcast, “Served with Andy Roddick,” the tennis legend explained why the last player to test positive for Clostebol did not receive a ban, unlike Sinner.
Roddick revealed that Marco Bortolotti, an Italian player with a career-high doubles ranking of 102, tested positive for Clostebol at a Challenger Tour event in Lisbon in 2023. However, Bortolotti did not receive a suspension. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted Bortolotti’s explanation that the substance entered his system accidentally and that he could not have reasonably taken further precautions to avoid exposure.
“Given all the circumstances, and consideration of recent comparable case law, the ITIA accepted that the player [Bortolotti] established the source of the Clostebol metabolite in their urine sample, and that they could not reasonably have been expected to take further precautions in relation to their exposure to a prohibited substance,” the ITIA stated.
Roddick emphasized that Bortolotti’s case was different from Sinner’s due to the evidence provided and the context of the contamination. “Bortolotti goes through and proves that there was no intent. Guess what he got suspended for? Zero, nothing, not three months,” Roddick said.
Sinner’s case, on the other hand, involved a positive test for Clostebol during the Indian Wells tournament in March 2024. Sinner maintained that the substance entered his body through a treatment prescribed by his physiotherapist. Initially, an independent panel cleared Sinner of wrongdoing, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged the decision, leading to a settlement that resulted in a three-month ban.
The discrepancy in the outcomes of these two cases has sparked debate within the tennis community about the consistency and fairness of anti-doping regulations. While some argue that Sinner’s punishment was too harsh given the circumstances, others believe that strict enforcement is necessary to maintain the integrity of the sport.
In conclusion, Andy Roddick’s explanation of the differences between Marco Bortolotti’s and Jannik Sinner’s cases highlights the complexities of anti-doping regulations and the importance of context in determining appropriate sanctions. As the tennis world continues to grapple with these issues, the need for clear and consistent guidelines remains paramount.
Jannik Sinner in 2025
Now ranked no.1, Jannik played his last match on the 26th of January when he overcame world no.2 Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3 in the final of the Australian Open to win his 20th career title.
Currently, during this year Sinner achieved a 7-0 record. This year, Sinner conquered 1 tournament at the Australian Open.
He is also scheduled to play in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) after Indian Wells. The main draw will start on the 3rd of March.