The intense controversy surrounding alleged steroid use by top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner continues, as multiple fellow tennis players have voiced their displeasure following the news he will not be suspended over positive drug tests.

In March, Sinner, 23, tested positive for twice for a metabolite of clostebol, which is a banned anabolic steroid. But on Tuesday, Aug. 20 the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced in a press release that low levels of the banned performance-enhancing drug entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist.

“The player explained that the substance had entered their system as a result of contamination from a support team member,” the ITIA said, adding that Sinner said the application “result[ed] in unknowing transdermal contamination.”

“Following consultation with scientific experts, who concluded that the player’s explanation was credible, the ITIA did not oppose the player’s appeals to lift the provisional suspensions,” the agency continued, explaining that after both tests, “Sinner successfully appealed the provisional suspension and so has been able to continue playing.”

However, the ITIA confirmed that the Italian player and reigning Australian Open champion will lose the $325,000 prize and 400 rankings points he earned from the ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells, Calif., where his first positive drug test occurred. 

Following the ITIA’s decision not to suspend him, Sinner posted a statement on social media, revealing his plans for the future. 

“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” Sinner said. “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”

Following the ITIA’s announcement, a number of tennis players took to social media to speak out against the decision.

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Longtime Australian player Nick Kyrgios posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Ridiculous — whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance…you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…Yeah nice.”

Portuguese player Gastão Elias posted, “Tennis is officially a joke!”

Additionally Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov posted that there were “different rules for different players.” He added, “Can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now.”

Meanwhile, the U.K.’s Liam Broady responded French player Lucas Pouille’s comment about “players that got banned for 3 no shows only and never been tested positive,” by adding, “If you accept that Sinners physio was at fault then you can accept human error in missed tests.”

On Monday, Aug. 19, Sinner won the Cincinnati Open over Frances Tiafoe and is considered a favorite at the upcoming US Open, which officially begins play on Aug. 26 in New York City. Sinner made his debut at No. 1 in the ATP rankings in June, according to Tennis.com.