Jannik Sinner says 'unfair' three-month ban from tennis left him feeling 'fragile' - 'I know I am innocent'
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Published 05/04/2025 at 17:07 GMT+1
Jannik Sinner received a controversial three-month ban from tennis in February after coming to an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency. The Italian, speaking in his first interview since the suspension, said it was an "unfair" punishment but it "could have been much worse." Sinner described feeling "fragile" afterwards but insisted: "I know I am innocent."
Jannik Sinner of Italy poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup during the 2025 Australian Open Men's champion media opportunity at Albert Park Lake on January 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev of Germany in last night's Men's Singles Final.
Image credit: Getty Images
Jannik Sinner said he felt "fragile" after receiving an "unfair" three-month suspension from tennis in his first interview since receiving the ban.
The world No. 1 reached an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to accept the punishment in February, ruling him out from February 9 to May 4.
It came after Sinner failed two drug tests in March 2024 for the banned substance clostebol, which he said was taken unintentionally during massage therapy by his physiotherapist.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia as he entered the final month of his ban, Sinner maintained his innocence and explained how hard he found it to come to terms with what happened.
"To be honest, I felt very calm. The decision to go in the direction of taking the three-month suspension was a very quick one to make," Sinner said.
"We accepted it in a short time, even if I didn't agree with it that much. We went back and forth a bit with my lawyer and the people around me. Â We had to choose the lesser evil and I think that's what was done. Â
"It's a bit unfair what I'm going through but, if we look at things, it could have been much worse, it could have been even more unfair. Â
"Afterwards, when we made this decision, it took me a while to find myself again. Other things happened, beyond this, that weren't easy for me, but I'm here, and it will take a bit more time to digest all of this." Â
The length of the suspension caused a stir in the tennis world, with some players publicly speaking out in criticism of supposed double standards.
Novak Djokovic questioned perceived "favouritism" towards top players when it comes to doping cases, while Nick Kyrgios said "fairness in tennis does not exist" and called it a "sad day for tennis."
But Sinner is standing firm in his conviction that he did no wrong.
"I'm certain about how things went, I know that I am innocent," he said.
"The people around me, not only my team but also my family and my friends, are the people I'm very attached to and who don't have the slightest doubt about the truth.
"What I want to do is play tennis and be very calm, that's the end of the story. That's why I'm sure that everything will be fine, even if maybe at the beginning it will take me a while to get going again."
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Sinner was also asked if he had struggled emotionally from a prolonged absence from the sport.
"I was very fragile after what happened. I was very fragile because things happened that I didn't expect, unexpected reactions inside me," he said. Â
"I would be lying to you [pretending otherwise]. I would appear to be a person without feelings and emotions, without anything.
"But in life you learn. Year after year, I know myself better, how I am as a person and also my value.
"It wasn't easy, but the people around me managed to lift me up, they gave me the strength to better understand what happened."
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Sinner missed the Sunshine Swing of back-to-back ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and the Miami Open in March, won by Jack Draper and Jakub Mensik respectively.
He will also be absent for the start of the clay-court season, starting with the Monte-Carlo Masters on Monday, April 7.
Sinner is scheduled to return in time for his home tournament at the Italian Open in Rome on May 5, the final Masters 1000 event before the French Open.
The Italian won the Australian Open in January to claim his third Grand Slam title and will be aiming to follow that up at Roland-Garros, where he reached the semi-finals last year.
The 2025 French Open will be live exclusively on TNT Sports and discovery+ from May 25 to June 8.
Watch and stream the 2025 tennis season on TNT Sports and discovery+
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