Jannik Sinner says what happened to him after he was handed a three month ban which was really ‘unexpected’
Jannik Sinner Reflects on His Unexpected Three-Month Suspension: “I Was Very Fragile”
Jannik Sinner is gearing up to make his return to tennis after a three-month suspension that kept him sidelined from the ATP Tour.
The world number one was banned earlier this year, causing him to miss four Masters 1000 events, including the prestigious Indian Wells and Miami Open, and leaving him unable to compete at the Monte-Carlo and Madrid clay events. Although he claimed victory at the Australian Open in January, he has not played since.
The 23-year-old Italian is set to return at his home tournament in Rome this May, just ahead of the French Open at Roland Garros.
In a recent interview with Sky Sport, Sinner shared his emotions following the news of his suspension, describing how difficult and unexpected the situation was for him.
“I felt very fragile because many things happened that I didn’t expect. There were reactions inside me I wasn’t prepared for,” he admitted. “If I said otherwise, I would be lying. I would seem emotionless, but in life, you learn from experiences.”
Sinner further explained that while the situation was incredibly tough, the support from those around him helped him cope. “It wasn’t easy—actually, it was very difficult—but the people closest to me lifted my spirits and gave me the strength to better understand what happened.”
Initially, Sinner’s fate was to be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and there were concerns he could face a six-month ban. Ultimately, he accepted a three-month suspension, even though he did not fully agree with the decision. “It was a quick decision to make, and although I didn’t agree with it, I had to choose the lesser evil,” he said. “It’s unfair at times, but it could have been much worse, so that’s how it went.”
During his suspension, Sinner has kept himself occupied with activities outside of tennis. “I feel great now. I’ve had time to rest and spend with my family, especially my dad. We’ve done some fun things, like go-karting and bike rides with my friends in Monte Carlo,” he shared.
Looking ahead to his return at the Italian Open, Sinner expressed his readiness. “We’re working hard in the gym to be even more physically prepared,” he said. “Everything is going well.”
Although Sinner has never won the Italian Open, he is now a much stronger player than when he last competed in Rome. With three Grand Slam titles under his belt since 2023, he will be a top contender in this year’s tournament.
The 2025 Italian Open will kick off on May 7, and Sinner’s return to action is highly anticipated. He will face tough competition from players like Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev, all of whom have had success in the Italian capital.
The tournament promises to be an exciting one, with Sinner’s comeback drawing plenty of attention as he strives for his first Italian Open title.
