Jannik Sinner’s doping ban significantly impacted his tennis career, forcing him to miss several key tournaments. Here’s how it affected him :
– *Missed Tournaments*: Sinner missed the Qatar Open, Indian Wells Open, Miami Open, Monte Carlo Masters, and Madrid Open due to the three-month suspension.
– *Ranking Points*: He’ll drop 2,100 points, including 1,000 points from the Miami Open, 400 points from the Monte Carlo Masters, and 200 points from the Madrid Open. This could give his rivals Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz an opportunity to close the gap.
– *Return to Tennis*: Sinner returned to action at the Italian Open, where he won his first match against Mariano Navone in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. He’s set to face Jesper de Jong in the third round.
– *Emotional Impact*: Sinner revealed that the doping ban left him feeling lost and confused, but he’s now focused on his game and appreciates the support of his loved ones.
– *Future Prospects*: Despite the setback, Sinner’s suspension ends just in time for him to participate in the French Open, which begins on May 19. His performance at the Italian Open will likely be crucial in preparing him for the tournament.
The doping ban stemmed from Sinner testing positive for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024, which he claimed entered his system through his physiotherapist’s use of a healing spray containing the substance. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted that Sinner didn’t intend to cheat, but he was still deemed responsible for his team’s negligence .
