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Jannik Sinner Maintains ATP Lead Despite Suspension

Jannik Sinner continues to hold his position as the top-ranked men’s tennis player in the world, even amidst a three-month suspension due to a doping violation that has barred him from participating in competitive matches.

Sinner’s ban has prevented him from competing in prestigious tournaments such as the ‘Sunshine Double’ in Indian Wells and Miami. Nevertheless, the competition has not capitalized on his absence, as his closest rivals, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, missed key opportunities to close the gap in the ATP rankings.

As Sinner’s return is anticipated in Rome at the beginning of May, he is poised to maintain his lead, with current standings showing him ahead of Zverev by 2,685 points and Alcaraz trailing by 3,610 points. This significant lead reinforces Sinner’s position as a formidable contender in the sport, even while sidelined.

For Zverev, the situation presents a slim chance to challenge for the top spot. With potential points up for grabs in the upcoming Monte Carlo and Madrid tournaments—1,000 points for the champions, plus an additional 500 for winning either the Barcelona or Munich events—there remains a theoretical path for Zverev to reduce the deficit. However, he admitted to experiencing a lackluster performance, stating that he has been “playing terrible,” which complicates his ambitions to overtake Sinner.

As the tennis season progresses, all eyes will be on the upcoming tournaments to see if Zverev can regain form or if Sinner will solidify his dominance upon his return to play.

Source
www.bbc.com