Jannik Sinner Breaks His Silence On His Doping Ban

Jannik Sinner breaks his silence on his doping ban, maintaining his innocence and expressing eagerness to return to competition at the Rome Open.

Jannik Sinner has expressed his disappointment with the doping ban he received, labeling it “unfair” despite accepting the decision. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) acknowledged that Sinner did not intentionally ingest the banned substance and that he did not gain any competitive advantage from it. Furthermore, WADA recognized that Sinner was not at fault for the accidental contamination.

Sinner's ban is set to end on May 4th, allowing him to make his comeback at the Rome Open, which starts three days later. With Roland Garros just around the corner, Sinner is eager to get back on the court. In an interview with Sky Sports broadcast on Saturday, Sinner shared his thoughts on the ban, saying: “We accepted (the ban) quickly, even though I wasn't really in agreement.” He went on to explain the process of navigating the situation with his lawyers and entourage.

Sinner reflected on the difficult decision-making process, stating: “We had to choose the least worst option, and I think that's what we did.” Despite his disappointment with the ban, Sinner remains philosophical and is now focused on his return to competition. With his ban set to expire soon, Sinner is eager to put this chapter behind him and get back to competing at the highest level.

Jannik Sinner expressed his eagerness to return to competitive tennis, stating, “After we made the decision, it took me a bit of time to refind my feet.” He is set to make his comeback at a special tournament in Rome, adding, “I cannot wait to start playing again in Rome. It's a special tournament for me, but it will be difficult making a comeback with so much attention on me.”

Sinner had been facing a potential two-year ban after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his initial exoneration by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in August. Sinner maintained that the banned substance clostebol entered his system when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut before providing a massage and sports therapy.

WADA acknowledged that Sinner “did not intend to cheat” and that his suspension from tennis was due to his responsibility for the actions of his entourage. Despite this, the controversy surrounding Sinner's ban has been a significant challenge for the 23-year-old, who was rising to become the top player in men's tennis and a three-time Grand Slam winner.

Jannik Sinner admits being left feeling "very fragile" in his first interview since being handed a three-month doping ban.

The world No. 1 was suspended after two positive tests for the banned substance clostebol last year. pic.twitter.com/ZBGQG7Wifu

— TNT Sports (@tntsports) April 5, 2025

The agreement between Jannik Sinner and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sparked controversy among some players on the men's tennis tour. Notably, Nick Kyrgios and Stan Wawrinka publicly expressed their disagreement with the ban. Sinner acknowledged the potential backlash he might face from his fellow players, saying: “I don't know what might happen.”

When asked how he thought his peers would react to him at the Foro Italico courts in Rome, Sinner remained uncertain. However, he reaffirmed his innocence and expressed confidence in the support of those closest to him. “I know what happened, and I know that I'm innocent,” he stated. ”The people I have around me, not just my team but my family and friends, the people I'm closest to, have no doubts about what the truth is.”

Despite being absent from competition since winning the Australian Open, Sinner remains at the top of the ATP Tour's world rankings. His key rivals, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, have failed to capitalize on his absence, allowing Sinner to maintain his position as the world's top-ranked player.