A new
suspension has caught the tennis world’s attention, as criticisms resurface
over
Jannik Sinner’s doping case. Brazilian player Nicolas Zanellato tested
positive for boldenone, a substance banned by the Tennis Anti-Doping Program
(TADP), though Argentine Renzo Olivo claims negligence on the part of the
tournament supervisor.
The TADP
has provisionally suspended the 22-year-old Brazilian Zanellato (ranked No.
656) for violating anti-doping regulations. Zanellato tested positive for
boldenone on June 25 during the Challenger tournament in Ibagué, Colombia.
"Zanellato's doping case is ridiculous"
His
provisional suspension took effect on August 12, and Zanellato filed his appeal
on August 20 with an independent tribunal. Despite presenting his case,
Zanellato’s appeal was rejected, and he remains unable to play, train, or
attend any official tennis events.
After the
news became public, Argentine tennis player Renzo Olivo (ranked No. 281)
harshly criticized the ATP on social media. According to the former world No.
78, the substance found in Zanellato is present in Colombian beef, and the ATP
knew about this but failed to inform players in a timely manner:
“Zanellato's
doping case is ridiculous. It's a substance found in Colombian beef, and the
ATP knows this very well. I played in the same tournament where he tested
positive, and I had to go to the supervisor and tell him to send an email to
the players not to eat meat because...”
“There were
players who didn’t know about it, and I saw a couple of them eating meat. What
did the supervisor say to me? 'Ah, you’re right, we have to send it.' Too late!
Besides, it’s a substance that doesn’t give any sporting advantage,” the
32-year-old player added. “The news is made public, and then there’s an appeal;
that’s the normal procedure. There’s no appeal before it’s made public. If you
know what I mean… South America’s out, right? Always the same.”