ROME — Jannik Sinner thought of taking an prolonged break from tennis earlier this yr earlier than he accepted a three-month doping ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Company.
Requested throughout an interview with Italian state TV RAI if he ever thought of dropping the whole lot, the top-ranked Sinner replied, “Sure.”
“I bear in mind earlier than the Australian Open this yr, it wasn’t a really pleased time,” Sinner stated. “I did not actually really feel comfy within the locker room, the place we have been consuming. Gamers have been taking a look at me in a different way. I stated to myself, ‘Perhaps I must take a while off after Australia.’ I did not need [the ban], although.”
Sinner received his second straight Australian Open title in January.
It wasn’t till February that the settlement was made within the doping case, after WADA appealed a call final yr by the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company to exonerate Sinner for what it deemed to be an unintended contamination by a banned anabolic steroid in March 2024.
“I had a tricky time accepting these three months. As a result of I knew that I did not do something fallacious. So why do I’ve to pay this value?” Sinner stated. “However then we mentioned it with my lawyer and about what may have occurred within the worst-case situation, and so we determined to simply accept it.”
The dealing with of Sinner’s case raised questions on double requirements. The constructive exams weren’t publicly revealed till August as a result of Sinner efficiently appealed in opposition to being provisionally banned from taking part in. He then received the US Open in September.
The settlement additionally raised questions, because it permits Sinner to return subsequent week on the Italian Open, his house event, and never miss any Grand Slams.
“The final yr was undoubtedly very tense,” Sinner stated within the interview, which was broadcast late Tuesday. “However we have been nonetheless in a position to receive unimaginable outcomes. We began this yr rather well too. Then what occurred, occurred. In the beginning it was a bit unusual to seek out myself in that state of affairs. Additionally, loads of issues occurred off the courtroom that I did not count on.”
A number of high gamers advised that Sinner was handled too frivolously.
“I do not even need to reply. Everyone seems to be free to say what they need. For me, the vital factor is that I do know what occurred,” Sinner stated. “I do not want it upon anybody who’s harmless to undergo what I went by means of.”
Regardless of having performed only one event this yr, Sinner held on to his high rating throughout his ban as a result of No. 2 Alexander Zverev and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz did not win sufficient when he was out to overhaul him.
“I miss the competitors,” Sinner stated. “I am very pleased that this era is completed, and I am able to play once more.”