Anti-Doping Authorities Suspend Tennis Player Jannik Sinner, Who Disputes Unfavorable Treatment Afterward
An Open Interview with Jannik Sinner
"I ain't gonna defend or retaliate, [against the criticism], they got the freedom to say what they want and judge folks. For me, it's all about knowing the truth, and I've been through some tough times, I wouldn't wish it on anyone to go from an innocent man to living my experiences," the world-ranked number one tennis player, Jannik Sinner, straightforwardly revealed in an interview with Rai, aired on Tuesday, April 29.
Behind the Headlines: Sinner was slapped with a three-month suspension on February 9, due to a positive test for clostebol, a restricted substance. After a back-and-forth with anti-doping authorities, he's now preparing to make a comeback at the Masters 1000 in Rome, which begins on Wednesday, May 7.
"I ain't got no time for [the critics], what matters is I know what went down, it was rough, and I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I've gone through—from innocent to living my ordeal," the Italian ace explained. "There have been a ton of hearings, I've been tested like a lab rat. I truly had a hard time accepting the three-month ban because in my mind, I didn't do anything wrong," he added. "When there's accidental contamination like mine, or if you unwittingly consume something through food, and doctors claim it doesn't boost your strength or clarity, it's a whole different ball game."*
A Strange Trip
Sinner tested positive for clostebol in March 2024, attributing the anabolic agent's presence in his samples to accidental contamination via a massage by a member of his entourage. Initially cleared by the Tennis Integrity Agency (TIA), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) objected before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), pushing for a one- to two-year suspension. In early February, Sinner and WADA reached a deal for a three-month suspension that ends on May 4, a choice criticized by several players.
During this unsettling period, Sinner shared, "I didn't feel like a player should feel on the court. We train to enjoy big matches, and that joy disappeared day by day." Winning the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, he grappled with the gaze of others and even contemplated "quitting everything". "I wasn't comfortable in the locker room, at the tournament restaurant—other players looked at me differently. I thought living tennis like that weighed heavily on me," he reflected.
Rebirth in Rome
With merely four days left until the end of his suspension, Jannik Sinner is immersed in a PR campaign to revamp his image. Kicking things off earlier in the week, he announced the creation of his own foundation dedicated to helping Italian and global youth through education and sports.
To start his comeback trail, it's in Rome that he'll set foot on the court at the Masters 1000, which begins on Wednesday, May 7. He'll undeniably count on the support of an attentive crowd, three weeks before the French Open kickoff. An impressive six wins in the last seven tournaments he's entered, Sinner aims to win back the spotlight through his performances.
"Even though I've lived through a difficult phase due to the doping allegations related to clostebol, I'm ready to focus on sports again," Jannik Sinner shared, as he prepares to return to the tennis court at the Masters 1000 in Rome, following a three-month suspension.traceable to accidental contamination during a massage by someone from his entourage, which was initially cleared by the Tennis Integrity Agency (TIA) but contested by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"I've endured numerous hearings and testing like a lab rat, but during my suspension, I found solace in establishing my own foundation dedicated to the education and sports of youth worldwide," he explained during a recent interview.
The Italian tennis player also spoke about the distress he experienced during the hearings and being criticized for his suspension, saying, "I felt out of place on the court, and it affected my performance. I even considered quitting tennis."
As Sinner gears up for his comeback at the Masters 1000 in Rome, he remains hopeful, aiming to "win back the spotlight through my performances" and regain the joy that tennis once brought him.
