Jannik Sinner gives warning signs to Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic as he feels” mentally and physically stronger” before return to tennis
Jannik Sinner is eagerly awaiting his return to tour with the Rome Masters after his three month suspension ends.
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Jannik Sinner (image via Sky Sports), Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic (images via Wimbledon)
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has been away from the media for a while, however, he recently made his first appearance since his suspension for an interview. The 23-year-old spoke to Sky Sports Italy about the ongoing doping suspension and his much awaited return to tour.
Sinner is serving a three-month suspension after settling his doping case with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in February 2025, a verdict he has described himself as “comfortable” yet “fragile” with.
He had twice tested positive for the banned steroid clostebol in March 2024 but was initially exonerated in August by an independent tribunal. Sinner had claimed that the substance entered his body inadvertently due to the use of a spray by his physiotherapist.
I am in the best position to play this sport. At the beginning I counted the days, but now every day that goes by, as the time gets closer, I feel better physically and mentally. Even if there is still time, it is a good opportunity for me to improve in those areas in which I had difficulties, on a surface on which I struggle. So, let’s try to do something different. Hopefully it works otherwise we will have more time to try again.
Jannik Sinner said via Sky Sports
However, WADA later appealed the initial decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), seeking at least a year’s suspension for the Italian with a hearing initially scheduled for April 16-17. But shortly after his Australian Open title defence, Sinner’s lawyers reached an agreement with WADA for the three-time Grand Slam champion to serve a three-month suspension ranging from February 9 to May 4.
Jannik Sinner will return to tour with the Rome Masters
Upon return, Jannik Sinner will be eligible to play at home soil with the Rome Masters. While Sinner is not dominant on clay, like he is on hard court, he is eagerly awaiting his return to tour and claims to feel better physically and mentally.
I can’t wait to be back in Rome. It’s a special tournament for me, even though it will also very tough. I’ll be back in a moment in which there will be already a lot of attention on me, and in Rome it’s not easy.
Jannik Sinner added
Sinner has won one out of his 19 titles on clay court, i.e. the 2022 Umag Open, an ATP 250 level tournament. He has not reached the finals of any other clay tournament except for that.
The Italian Open Masters 1000 commences on May 7 2025 in Rome. Sinner has not progressed beyond the Round of 16 in this tournament. The tournament was won last year by Alexander Zverev, who clinched his second Italian Open title.
Even with the home crowd support, the Rome Masters will not be an easy tournament for Sinner as he will be facing several other formidable and accomplished clay court champions like Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
Jannik Sinner hopes to stay calm throughout the entire process
Despite eagerly awaiting his return to tour, Jannik Sinner is unsure about how others would react to it. Several ATP and WTA players have expressed their evident frustration with how this doping case proceeded. Sinner has been attacked by various players particularly Nick Kyrgios.
I know how things went, I know I am innocent. I am calm because in the end I know that what I want to do is to play tennis and be serene. That’s the end of the story. So, I am sure all will go well, even if at the beginning it will take a while to start over.
Jannik Sinner added
The perceived lenient handling and lack of transparency of this case has also been a talking point even in the PTPA class and action lawsuit filed against several tennis governing bodies. Sinner however, hopes to remain calm throughout the entire ordeal and has faith that all will go well eventually even if it takes a while in the beginning.
Sinner has always established a reputation of being calm in many situations. The Italian has been under intense scrutiny since his doping scandal surfaced in August last year. The World No.1 has been criticized by many tennis pro athletes, such as Nick Kyrgios and Stanislas Wawrinka.
However, Sinner has put all of that to one side and played some fantastic tennis. As a result of his success, he is the current holder of the Australian Open, US Open, and the ATP Finals.
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