Photo credit: www.skysports.com
Jannik Sinner Reflects on Quick Decision for Three-Month Doping Ban
Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis star, has recently shared insights into the swift decision to accept a three-month doping ban. This choice was made rapidly, despite his reservations about the fairness of the situation.
Earlier this year, Sinner successfully defended his Australian Open title in January. However, in February, he reached an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) following two positive drug tests that occurred in 2024. He explained, “In the end, you have to choose the lesser evil, and I believe that is what I have done. Even if sometimes it seems a bit unfair, all that I’m living, but then if I look at things from a different perspective it could have been worse. Even more unfairness. This is the way it is,” during an interview with Sky Italy.
The ban is set to conclude in time for Sinner to participate in the French Open scheduled for May. Additionally, he will be able to compete in his home tournament, the Masters 1000 in Rome, starting May 7.
Fellow player Jack Draper expressed his hope that Sinner would recover well from the ban. Reflecting on his experience, Sinner stated, “The decision to take the three-month suspension was rather quick. We accepted it quite quickly, even though I didn’t agree completely. There was a bit of back and forth with my lawyer and the people around me. After we took this decision, it took me a while to find myself again.” He added that he looks forward to returning to Rome, a tournament he considers special, despite the heightened attention surrounding his comeback. “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,” he remarked.
Sinner faced scrutiny earlier this year when he tested positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol in March 2024. However, he was later cleared by an independent tribunal in August, which determined he bore no responsibility for the substances found in his system. In September, WADA announced its intention to appeal the tribunal’s decision, seeking a ban ranging from one to two years. The case was set for a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on April 16 and 17.
Despite his acceptance of the three-month ban, Sinner emphasized the emotional toll it took on him. “I was very fragile after what happened,” he admitted. “I would tell a lie if I said I was a person without feelings or emotions. In life, you learn; every year I learn more about myself, also about my value. It was not easy, very hard at times, but the people around me gave me the strength to understand what had happened.”
As Sinner anticipates his return to the tour, he remains uncertain about the reactions of fellow players. “I can’t answer this question as I don’t know what could happen,” he said. “I know how things went, I know I am innocent.” He expressed a desire to focus on his passion for tennis, stating, “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.” Sinner continues to count down the days to his return, underscoring his eagerness to get back to competitive play.
“Why? Because I stopped doing what I always dreamed of doing. I am in the best position to play this sport,” he reflected. As the day of his return approaches, he feels an improvement both physically and mentally, viewing this period as an opportunity to refine his game.
Source
www.skysports.com