Jannik Sinner reveals ‘toughest part’ of doping ban ahead of highly anticipated return at Italian Open before French Open 2025 at Roland-Garros
Updated 05/05/2025 at 20:58 GMT+1
Men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner returns at this week’s Italian Open after serving a three-month ban and has spoken about the challenges he faced during his time away from the sport. The 23-year-old won the Australian Open in January before he was sanctioned for two anti-doping violations. He has received a bye into round two, where he will face either Mariano Navone or Federico Cina.
Sinner reflects on ‘very difficult’ time during doping ban – ‘Not easy for me to accept’
Video credit: SNTV
Jannik Sinner has revealed what was the "toughest part" of his time away from tennis after being given a three-month ban in February.
The Italian was found to have traces of banned substance clostebol - an anabolic steroid - in two drug tests during the Indian Wells tournament last year.
Although he was cleared by an independent panel in March 2024, he reached a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and accepted a three-month ban in February, following his Australian Open triumph.
Sinner’s suspension was officially up as of Sunday, May 4, meaning he can return to action at this week’s Italian Open and won’t miss any Grand Slams.
Speaking to reporters in Rome, the 23-year-old was asked about the challenges he experienced during his time away from the sport.
"The toughest part was that in the beginning I couldn't watch any other sport really, in real life," Sinner said.
"I don't know how many know this, but watching a simple football match in a stadium, I couldn't go there to watch it.
"I wanted to support my friends in cycling or motorsport – I couldn't go there."
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Sinner won his third Grand Slam when he defended his Australian Open crown in January before being sanctioned.
It was expected his absence would see him lose his spot atop the world rankings, but both Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz failed to take advantage, with both struggling for consistent form in 2025.
Sinner has been handed a bye into the second round of the Italian Open, meaning his first competitive match since his triumph in Melbourne will come against either Argentina’s Mariano Navone or compatriot Federico Cina.
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He is the favourite to lift the title on the clay courts of Rome but emphasised he was treating it as a "very low expectation tournament".
He added: "I'm just happy to be back here - I'm happy to play again in front of the fans, and I have a goal in front of my eyes."
The Italian Open is the final Masters 1000 event before attention turns to the French capital for the second Grand Slam of 2025.
Roland-Garros - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - gets underway on May 25, when Sinner will hope to add his first title on the clay courts of Paris.
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