Jannik Sinner Calls Three-Month Doping Ban “Unfair” as He Prepares for Comeback at French Open
Jannik Sinner, the world number one in men’s tennis, has expressed regret over his three-month doping ban, calling it “unfair” as he prepares for his return to the sport ahead of the French Open. Sinner has been out of competition since January, but with his ban ending on May 4, just in time for the Rome Open and the upcoming Grand Slam, he’s eager to leave the controversy behind.
The 23-year-old Italian accepted the suspension after two positive tests for traces of clostebol, a banned substance found in a spray his physiotherapist used during treatment for a cut. While WADA acknowledged that Sinner had not gained a competitive edge from the substance and that the contamination was accidental, the ban nonetheless caused a stir.
Sinner revealed that although he didn’t fully agree with the ban, he and his team decided to accept it to avoid a potentially longer suspension. “We chose the least bad option, even though it wasn’t ideal,” he said in an interview with Sky Sport. “What I’ve been through feels unfair, but it could have been much worse. After the decision, it took me a little while to get back on my feet.”
With his return to competition looming, Sinner faces the pressure of coming back under intense scrutiny. “It will be difficult to return with all the attention on me,” he admitted. “But I can’t wait to start playing again, especially in Rome—it’s a special tournament for me.”
Earlier in the year, Sinner had been at the top of his game, claiming victory at the Australian Open, but his suspension overshadowed his rise to tennis dominance. Despite being sidelined, he remains the world number one as his closest rivals, including Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, have struggled to capitalize on his absence.
As Sinner prepares to return to the courts, his mindset remains clear: “I know I’m innocent, and the people closest to me—my family, my friends—have no doubts about that.” The tennis world will be watching closely as he makes his comeback at the Rome Open, just days before the French Open begins.
