As world No. 1 Jannik Sinner prepares to return from a three-month doping ban at the 2025 Italian Open, his compatriot and Davis Cup teammate Lorenzo Sonego issued a chilling four-word warning to rivals: “An even stronger champion.” Sonego, who trained with Sinner in Monte Carlo after the ban’s training restrictions lifted on April 13, praised the 23-year-old’s intensity and hunger. “He has a crazy desire to compete,” Sonego told La Gazzetta dello Sport, noting Sinner’s powerful ball-striking remained intact. “He can’t wait to feel the adrenaline of a match.” This sentiment was echoed by Sinner’s junior hitting partner, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, who added, “He still hits very hard!”
Sinner’s suspension stemmed from two positive tests for the anabolic steroid clostebol in March 2024, deemed unintentional by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) due to contamination from a physiotherapist’s massage spray. Initially cleared in August 2024, Sinner faced a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appeal seeking a one- to two-year ban. A settlement resulted in a three-month ban from February 9 to May 4, 2025, allowing his return just in time for Rome and the French Open. Critics, including Nick Kyrgios, called the timing “too convenient,” arguing it preserved Sinner’s Grand Slam eligibility, fueling debate over fairness in tennis.[
Sonego’s warning underscores Sinner’s resilience, as the ban—served after his Australian Open title defense in January 2025—did not diminish his form. “Staying away from tournaments has not been easy, but he’s ready to give everything,” Sonego said, highlighting Sinner’s competitive drive. The Italian Open, starting May 7, marks Sinner’s homecoming, with fans and the Italian Tennis Federation rallying behind him. However, some players and media remain skeptical, with X posts reflecting mixed sentiments about his hero’s welcome post-ban. Sinner himself admitted the ban’s toughest part was missing live sports events, yet he used the time to regroup with family.[
