Jannik Sinner, returning to tennis at the 2025 Italian Open after a three-month doping suspension, opened up about the emotional toll of his experience at the 2025 Australian Open. In an interview with *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, Sinner admitted, “I did not like how people looked at me in Melbourne.” The world No. 1 faced intense scrutiny following his positive tests for clostebol in March 2024, which led to a suspension from February 9 to May 4, 2025. Although the World Anti-Doping Agency ruled the violation unintentional, caused by contamination from a physiotherapist’s treatment, Sinner sensed distrust from fans and peers during his Australian Open title defense, where he lost in the fourth round to Alexander Zverev.
Sinner described feeling “judged” in Melbourne, noting that the public’s perception weighed heavily on him despite his cleared name. “It was tough to feel those eyes on me, like I had done something wrong when I hadn’t,” he said. The 23-year-old Italian, who won the 2024 Australian Open and US Open, emphasized his commitment to transparency and his relief at returning to competition in Rome, a tournament he cherishes as a home event. Training with compatriot Lorenzo Sonego, who kept a promise to support him, helped Sinner regain confidence. “Lorenzo was there for me, and it meant a lot,” he added.
Sinner’s suspension cost him participation in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid, but he avoided missing Grand Slams. His focus now is on rebuilding momentum on clay, with the French Open looming. In Rome, where he has never reached the semifinals, Sinner aims to reconnect with fans and move past the doping saga. “I just want to play and show who I am on the court,” he said. The controversy, while a setback, has not dimmed his resolve, as he remains a favorite for Roland Garros, backed by his 2024 clay-court success and mental resilience forged through adversity.
