The next few weeks ahead could prove vital in Jannik Sinner’s bid to return to world No.1 and dethrone nemesis, Carlos Alcaraz.
The Italian currently trails the top spot by 2150 points, but this gap could become shorter very soon if Alcaraz slips up. Sinner enters Miami, and the start of the clay swing, with no ranking points to defend until May. This is because he served a 90-month suspension between the 2025 Australian Open and the 2025 French Open due to two failed anti-doping tests.
Sinner tested positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol in 2024 but was cleared to continue playing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which concluded that he had no fault in the positive test. A panel accepted that the Italian was inadvertently contaminated by his trainer, who was using Trofodermin. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed this decision by arguing that Sinner had an element of responsibility in his failed drug tests as he was in charge of ensuring those who worked for him were following the right protocol.
In the end, he served a 90-day suspension as a result of a case settlement reached by the two parties. Throughout the process, Sinner was never accused or suspected of deliberately cheating by investigators.
“For me, I’m not thinking backwards anymore. Whatever happened happened,” Sinner told reporters after beating Damir Dzumhur in his opening match at the Miami Open on Saturday.
“I had great success last week (winning Indian Wells). I’m coming here with a smile on my face and trying to produce some good tennis, then we see how things go.”
It is not a guarantee that Sinner will rapidly close in on an in-form Alcaraz in the standings. Alcaraz has won 16 out of his last 17 matches played, with his sole loss being to Daniil Medvedev.
“I know the situation where I am in regarding points defending. I have zero. Whatever comes in, it’s positive. Even if you lose the next round, nothing happens. So that’s good for me.” Sinner continued.
“I try to go day by day. As I said before, the process for me is very important, being a good tennis player. I know the things I need to work on.”
“I am aware of where I am point-wise and No. 1 and No. 2.”
Sinner, who has spent 66 weeks as world No.1 during his career, will next play 30th seed Corentin Moutet in Miami.
