"It wore him down physically and mentally": Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill speaks out on toll of doping ordeal

Jannik Sinner's two failed drugs tests which he was cleared of albeit after only being announced months later has stirred debate in the tennis world. His coach Darren Cahill is among those looking to clear his name.

The World No.1 twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol, an anabolic agent that can aid muscle growth. But the ITIA have accepted Sinner's protestation that it had accidentally entered his system.

He successfully argued that the substance got into his system through a massage from his physio. But others aren't so sure with Nick Kyrgios among those to hit out at the World No.1 in the past 24 hours. Cahill though wants to move on and described the toll it has taken on his charge.

“He would never do anything intentionally. He was in an unfortunate situation,” said Cahill on ESPN.

“The truth is out, no fault or negligence, and hopefully he can put this behind him .”

“The reason why it was possible for him to continue playing after the short provisional suspension is that they were able to locate precisely where the incident occurred and they were able to explain what happened with the spray.”

“You would have seen a big change in his physicality and excitement to be on the court, it wore him down physically and mentally, he got tonsillitis (and) missed the Olympics,” he added. “We are not looking for any sorrow. Just thankful there is no ban attached.”

Mark Petchey, former coach of Andy Murray and a respected analyst and commentator also defended the current World No.1.

“Sport, especially tennis, is a completely capitalist behemoth on every level," said Petchey.

“Yet when it comes to everything else people expect it to be run on a socialist system. Why do companies etc have teams of lawyers/accountants working round the clock for them? To make sure they get the best outcome.

“Sinner and his team followed the rules after the test results, did everything they could do to limit the damage within the legal framework and got the best legal outcome. That’s life and that’s what this is.”