Jannik Sinner admits it will take him time to find his form at the Italian Open which will be his first tournament since January.
The world No.1 will return to action later this week following a three-month suspension for an anti-doping violation. Sinner failed two drug tests last year after testing positive for the banned steroid clostebol. During a hearing, he said he was contaminated by the substance after his former physio used a spray on his hand that contained clostebol. The physio then transferred it to him when conducting treatment without gloves.
Sinner, who has always denied any wrongdoing, was found to be of no fault by an investigation conducted by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) launched an appeal arguing that Sinner has a degree of fault because he is responsible for ensuring those who he hires are following the correct procedures. After initially pushing for a ban of up to two years, WADA later agreed to a case settlement with the tennis star’s legal team for a three-month suspension.
At the time of the announcement, some criticized the timing of the suspension which ended in time for Sinner’s home tournament and didn’t result in him missing any Grand Slam events. This prompted accusations that he had received preferential treatment due to his status and ability to hire the world’s best lawyers. An allegation Sinner and anti-doping authorities deny.
“For me personally, it was good news that no Grand Slams were included (in his ban),” Sinner told reporters on Monday.
“It’s kind of an agreement I didn’t want to do in the beginning. So it was not easy for me to accept it because I know what really happened.
“But sometimes we have to choose the best in a very bad moment. That’s what we did.
“It’s all over now, so I’m happy to play tennis again.”
Speaking further about his suspension, the tennis star says one of the hardest parts of his suspension was not being able to watch his friends play sports and support them. Later adding that he ‘tried to make the best out of it’’ and spend time with his family. He was allowed to resume official training activity on April 13th under the terms of his ban.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Sinner’s return will be how he is received by others on the Tour. Last month he held a hitting session with world No.5 Jack Draper who has defended the Italian. However, other players have been more critical about how Sinner’s case has been managed.
“It’s all fine at the moment,” Sinner said 45 minutes after arriving at the Foro Italico.
“I haven’t seen most of them (the players). It’s a very strange feeling at the beginning to be around so many people and attention.
“But it’s nice to be back and my team is very happy.”
As for on the court, Sinner is staying grounded about his current form. Before his suspension, he had won five out of his last six tournaments played. The only player to beat him during this period was Carlos Alcaraz at the Beijing Open last October.
“It’s a very, very low-expectation tournament in general for me,” he commented.
“What’s missing is the complete feedback of where my level is. That’s going to come slowly with the time of playing.
“After the first round match, I’m gonna have a good, you know picture of where I am at.”
Despite not playing in recent weeks, Sinner has managed to maintain his No.1 ranking. Under current rules, any player currently suspended for an anti-doping offense is not frozen out of the ranking system during this time. Both Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev had a chance to clinch the top spot but were unable to do so.
“The race to Turin gives you a bigger picture of how players play at this moment,” Sinner said about the system that only counts points earned within the same season.
“I’m happy in the position I am in but I would be happy even if I’m three or four in the world.
“I’m just happy to be back here. I’m happy to play again in front of fans, and that I also have a goal in front of my eyes where I can push through.”
Sinner’s opening match will be against either wild card Mariano Navone or Federico Cina.
