“I built my own bubble,” Jannik Sinner explains how he has ultimately managed the three-month suspension

Jannik Sinner is set to return to the tour on May 4, just three days before the Italian Open in Rome.

“I built my own bubble,” Jannik Sinner explains how he has ultimately managed the three-month suspension

Jannik Sinner (via Sky Sports)

Jannik Sinner is set to return to tour as his three-month suspension is set to end on May 4. The Italian has been out of professional tennis since February and has not played a single match since the Australian Open. He recently opened up about how he dealt with the doping saga amid criticism.

The full fall-out of Sinner’s doping ban is yet to be fully revealed. It will be in full glare when he returns to the tour at the Rome Masters. Several current and former players have questioned the suspension of the Italian and the way it was handled. Apart from that, some fans have shared their disappointing opinion about how the case was handled.

Sinner twice tested positive for clostebol in March last year. The World No.1 was exonerated from his doping charges by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration (CAS). But in February, the agency agreed with Sinner’s lawyers that he serves a three-month ban.

The suspension came after the over five months his case was announced. Despite being heavily criticized, he had to continue competing and playing by building his own bubble, while struggling with his game.

I built my own bubble, where no one else could enter, and this undoubtedly gave me the will to continue, the desire to prepare well for the Grand Slams. How do I manage anger? I also have outbursts. Playing tennis is like poker. If you see the other player struggling, it gives you strength. I have times when I’m tired, nervous, and not feeling the game. My team has to do some tricks to make me feel the game. There are times when not everything goes perfectly. But in the end, tennis is a game.

Jannik Sinner said via Italian TV station RAI

Sinner’s suspension began on February 9 and is set to be back on May 4. The Italian has been absent from the court for more than three months, as his last competitive match was at the Australian Open final.

Jannik Sinner set to return to tour amid the disappointment about his doping case

Jannik Sinner has been heavily criticized by several current and former players due to his doping suspension. The Italian has defended that he did not intentionally take the banned clostebol but that it inadvertently entered his system after his former physio made a mistake. His defense has still not been accepted by a large number of players and fans as they believe he was given preferential treatment.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

The World No.1 is set to return to the court next week but it is yet to be revealed what kind of reception he will receive. The Italian will play in his home country, which will probably have him calm on the court. The Italian Open organizers have already revealed that he may be given a special locker room to escape meeting players who aren’t happy with the suspension.

It will be very difficult to gauge how the relationship between Sinner and the players will be, as he might be treated indifferently. However, he will have to create a larger bubble after the Italian Open, as another tournament crowd might not receive him the way he will be received in Rome.

Jannik Sinner reflects on how he received the news about his suspension

Jannik Sinner has begun practicing with professional players as he’s eager for a return to the tour. The 23-year-old was spotted training with Matteo Berrettini and Jack Draper in Monte Carlo. During the aforementioned interview, he reflected on how he received the information of his three-month suspension from his lawyers.

Jannik Sinner (9)
Jannik Sinner (Image via ATP/X)

I didn’t understand what had happened, I didn’t know anything. It was very hard for me to accept those three months because mentally I wasn’t doing anything. I lived through a whole year of difficulties.

Jannik Sinner said

The World No.1 will mark his return at the Italian Open, before participating at the Hamburg Open. Those two tournaments will act as warm-ups for the ultimate French Open.

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