Jasmine Paolini and Maria Sakkari say what has changed about men’s tennis since Jannik Sinner was banned
How Jannik Sinner’s Ban Has Impacted Men’s Tennis – Insights from Paolini and Sakkari
Jannik Sinner is nearing the end of his three-month ban, which began on February 9, following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Since his absence, the ATP Tour has seen unexpected champions emerge, sparking discussions about the changing landscape of men’s tennis.
How the ATP Tour Has Changed Since Sinner’s Ban
Sinner last competed at the Australian Open, where he successfully defended his title against Alexander Zverev. However, his absence has opened the door for surprising title winners, including teenager Jakub Mensik, who claimed victory at the Miami Open.
Speaking ahead of the Miami Open, former world No. 3 Maria Sakkari and two-time major finalist Jasmine Paolini reflected on how men’s tennis has shifted since Sinner’s suspension.
Sakkari and Paolini on the Similarities Between ATP & WTA
During a conversation on the Tennis Insider Club, Sakkari pointed out that the men’s game is now more unpredictable, mirroring the WTA Tour’s long-standing reputation for upsets.
Sakkari: “It doesn’t really matter if you’re the No. 1, 2, or 3 seed. In women’s tennis, we see unexpected results all the time, and now I think the men’s draw is becoming similar.”
Paolini agreed, attributing the shift to Sinner’s absence as well as the retirements of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Paolini: “Now, it feels quite the same. Maybe because Jannik is not playing, and without Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal, the landscape is more open.”
ATP Rankings Since Sinner’s Ban – Who Has Struggled & Who Has Thrived?
Despite being inactive, Sinner remains the world No. 1, with many of his closest competitors struggling in his absence.
| Rank | Player | Win-Loss Record Since AO | Titles/Finals Since AO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Jannik Sinner | N/A | N/A |
| 2. | Alexander Zverev | 6-5 (55%) | 0 Titles |
| 3. | Carlos Alcaraz | 11-3 (79%) | Won Rotterdam |
| 4. | Taylor Fritz | 8-4 (67%) | 0 Titles |
| 5. | Novak Djokovic | 5-3 (63%) | Miami Finalist |
| 6. | Casper Ruud | 9-4 (69%) | Dallas Finalist |
| 7. | Jack Draper | 10-2 (83%) | Won Indian Wells, Doha Finalist |
| 8. | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 10-4 (71%) | Won Dubai |
| 9. | Andrey Rublev | 9-5 (64%) | Won Doha |
| 10. | Alex de Minaur | 11-5 (69%) | Rotterdam Finalist |
Zverev, in particular, has struggled, recording the lowest win percentage (55%) since his Australian Open final defeat to Sinner.
Meanwhile, Jack Draper has been the standout performer, securing a career-high ranking after winning Indian Wells.
What’s Next for Sinner?
The Italian star is set to return during the clay-court season, with his comeback scheduled for the Italian Open.
He will also compete in Hamburg before heading to Roland Garros, where he aims to reclaim his dominance on tour.
