One of Jannik Sinner’s coaches, Australian Darren Cahill, has leapt to the defence of the men’s world number one following the revelation he failed two doping tests earlier this year.

The International Tennis Integrity Authority (ITIA) confirmed this week Sinner tested positive for the anabolic agent clostebol twice last March.

But the Italian avoided suspension after being cleared of wrongdoing by an independent tribunal.

The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation clostebol entered his system from a member of his support team through massages and sports therapy.

Nick Kyrgios was among those to criticise the decision, with the Australian describing the situation as “ridiculous”.

But Cahill said Sinner deserved to have a clear conscience.

“We’re not looking for any sorrow or anything because we’re quite thankful that there is no ban attached,” Cahill told ESPN.

“But I just want to stress that he’s (Sinner) a great kid, he’s incredibly professional, he’s maybe the most professional young man that I’ve ever had the chance to work with.

“He would never, ever intentionally do anything, and he’s in a situation that’s incredibly unfortunate.

“And the truth came out exactly what happened – there’s no fault, no negligence – and, hopefully, he can get this behind him now and continue to play and get better.”

Cahill said he was mindful there were calls for Sinner to be suspended.

“I think everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” he said.

“I know this is a highly sensitive issue for everybody: all coaches, all players, all fans.

“I think, over time, this won’t affect Jannik’s legacy in the game.

“I think people will understand that when you read through the entire (ITIA) statement, and what he went through and how they determined him to have no fault or no negligence, I think you’ll understand it.”

On Wednesday, Kyrgios suggested Sinner be handed a two-year ban.

“You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance … you should be gone for 2 years,” Kyrgios wrote on X.

“Your performance was enhanced.”

Also writing on X, Canadian Denis Shapovalov was another player unimpressed by Sinner escaping a suspension.

“Can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now,” Shapovalov wrote.

“Different rules for different players.”

But retired Australian professional John Millman defended Sinner, highlighting the amount of clostebol found in the Italian’s system.

“Before jumping to conclusions, Jannik Sinner had less than a billionth of a gram in his system.. I believe him,” Millman wrote on X.

Sinner’s first positive sample was taken on March 10 with a second returned eight days later.

A provisional suspension was applied with each positive test, but the reigning Australian Open champion was allowed to continue playing after his team filed urgent appeals.

“Sinner’s results, prize money and ranking points from the ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells, where the player tested positive in competition for clostebol, are disqualified,” ITIA said in a statement.

Sinner will lose the $US325,000 in prize money and 400 rankings points he earned in Indian Wells.

“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” Sinner said in a statement posted to social media.

Sinner is preparing for the US Open, which begins in New York on Monday.

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Source: Tampa Bay Times