Despite a challenging start to the season, Jannik Sinner has used his three-month suspension to come back stronger—both mentally and physically.
The World No. 1 accepted a deal with WADA that included a temporary suspension, despite being cleared of wrongdoing by an independent tribunal. While Sinner was reluctant to accept the compromise, his legal team advised it was the best way to avoid a prolonged trial before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. The decision helped him avoid a potential one- to two-year ban that could have significantly harmed his career.
Sinner will return to competition on May 4 and is set to make his comeback at the Rome Masters. Thanks to subpar results from rivals Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner will retain his No. 1 ranking when he steps onto the clay at the Foro Italico.
During his time away, Sinner and his team focused intensely on physical conditioning. His fitness coach, Marco Panichi, played a key role in maximizing the break.
“We tried to make the most of this period,” Panichi told Il Corriere della Sera. “We shifted from micro-cycles to macro-cycles in our training, aiming to see the benefits in Rome and beyond.”
Panichi praised Sinner’s athleticism and mental fortitude, saying: “Jannik’s body is like that of a decathlete—he’s incredibly versatile. But his greatest strength is how he handles pressure. Even in the most intense moments, he remains laser-focused.”
With a stronger body and sharper mind, Sinner looks poised to pick up right where he left off—and perhaps even reach new heights in the months ahead.
