"More zeroes than the Italian Flame Thrower has given"- Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rick Macci on Jannik Sinner’s "no fault" doping verdict

Serena Williams' ex-coach Rick Macci opined on the ongoing Jannik Sinner 'no fault' doping controversy. He stated that he understood where the anger of the tennis fraternity came from, but mentioned how the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) ruled the ingestion of the substance not intentional.

Sinner and his team have been bearing the brunt of the tennis world's anger after he was cleared to play even though he tested positive for Clostebol, a banned drug, during the Indian Wells Masters this year.

However, the Italian argued that the consumption was an accident and entered his body through a bare-handed massage by his ex-physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, who used a healing spray (that contained Clostebol) for a cut on his finger. Also, the ITIA found less than a billionth of the substance in his body, which they deemed was not performance-enhancing.

Taking all things into consideration, World No. 1 was cleared to play.

‘We are encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part," the ATP said in their statement.

However, the verdict has left the tennis world divided. A lot of fans felt that other players in similar situations had been treated harshly.

Serena Williams' ex-coach Rick Macci wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he understood the plight of the people who were against Jannik Sinner's verdict but also mentioned that the ITIA had ruled his consumption to be not intentional. He specifically stated how the amount of substance found was negligible and joked that the zeroes were more than the flamethrower World No. 1 had provided.

"Asked about Jannik Sinner and the failed drug test. I understand the double standard but ITIA RULED NOT INTENTIONAL. The leader in that clubhouse for me is the numbers. 0.000000001. That is more Zeros and Donuts than the ITALIAN FLAME THROWER HAS GIVEN ON THE COURT! @janniksin"

"I'm convinced that this was a complete accident" - Mats Wilander shows support to Jannik Sinner, 'glad' to see the Italian still playing on tour

The Italian at a press conference (Image Source: Getty)

Former World No. 1 Mats Wilander showed support for Jannik Sinner and was glad that the Italian was still playing on tour. He praised the Italian, calling him a great guy who is good for tennis and also mentioned how his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz was already epic.

"My first reaction is obviously that we're so glad to have Jannik Sinner, still playing on tour."

The Swede was convinced that the Italian's consumption of Clostebol was a complete accident.

"He's a great guy, he's really, really good for the game, the rivalry with him and Carlos Alcaraz is epic already and I'm convinced 100% that this was a complete accident, by Jannik and his team, of course."

Wilander, however, urged the teams of players to be more careful, because incidents like these can cost a player their career.

Sinner will be the top seed at the US Open, where he will play Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round, against whom he boasts a 3-0 lead.