New ATP doping row emerges with player claiming rival ate ‘contaminated’ food

The ATP is embroiled in a new doping controversy following the recent suspension of Nicolas Zanellato.
Jannik Sinner’s doping scandal has dominated sports headlines in recent weeks after it was disclosed that he tested positive twice for the prohibited substance clostebol in March. The Italian successfully contested his provisional suspensions, with an independent tribunal ruling that he “bore no fault or negligence” – thus clearing him to continue playing.
However, another scandal has now surfaced. Zanellato tested positive for boldenone while participating in a Challenger tournament in Ibague, Colombia, a substance outlawed by the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).
The 22-year-old swiftly lodged an appeal against the case just over a week after his provisional suspension began on August 12. Zanellato presented his case to an independent tribunal, but his appeal was dismissed.
Consequently, the world No. 656 is barred from training or participating in any official tennis events, although fellow player Renzo Olivo has publicly criticized his competitor’s suspension and suggested that the blame lies elsewhere.
The Argentine used X to argue that boldenone is commonly found in Colombian beef and therefore Zanellato has fallen victim to being unaware of what is in the food he ate while in South America.
Olivo rallied against the handling of Zanellato’s doping incident, asserting that the substance tied to the scandal is commonly found in Colombian beef and World Tennis Authorities were warned about this.
He wrote: “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 news is made public, and then there’s an appeal; that’s the normal procedure. There’s no appeal before it’s made public.”
Olivo also acknowledged fan conversations, indicating that food contamination on the continent has previously trapped unsuspecting players. Express Sport reached out to the ATP for an official statement.