Jannik Sinner opens up about quitting tennis after doping scandal
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is set to make his highly anticipated return to tennis after a three-month suspension at the Rome Masters. The Italian was banned for three months due to the doping scandal that was released to the audience in August last year. Consequently, Sinner agreed to a three-month suspension with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
On the eve of his return to the sport, World No. 1 made some disturbing confessions about his life in the past three months. So much so, that situation had come to the point that Sinner was on the verge of quitting tennis. The Italian will return in front of his adoring fans at the Rome Masters starting next week, and his suspension will end on May 4.
What Did Jannik Sinner Say?
In an interview with Italian media channel Raiplay, Sinner said, “Did I ever think about giving up? Yes, I did. Before the Australian Open this year, I was in a not-so-happy moment. Arriving there in Australia, I didn’t feel comfortable in the locker room, where I went to eat… the players looked at me differently. I didn’t like it.”
“There, I thought that living tennis that way was really heavy. I thought about taking some time off after Australia. Then it went as it went, I didn’t want it to go like this, but in the other sense, at that moment it did me good. Three months is long… but one reason I didn’t play Rotterdam was precisely that. I needed time with friends and to give priority to the people I love.” Sinner added.
Sinner’s strength of character
Sinner has impressed the ATP tennis circuit with his dominance in the past 12 months. However, what has surprised everyone most is his mentality and strength of character. Despite being scrutinized by the likes of Stanislas Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios, the World No. 1 has held his ground and let his racket do the talking.
He had come to the tournament as the favorite at the Australian Open earlier this year. However, he was under intense scrutiny from Kyrgios, an Australian with several links in the locker room. Despite getting intense heat since August, he has managed to put all of that off the court and play some of his best tennis.
Interestingly, Sinner has not lost an official match since October last year. The Italian lost the China Open final against Carlos Alcaraz on the final set tiebreak. Since then, the World No. 1 has won titles at the Shanghai Masters, ATP Finals, Davis Cup and this year’s Australian Open. He didn’t play Rotterdam despite being the defending champion. He had planned to play the Qatar Open, but it came shortly before WADA announced its verdict on him.
