ROME — Jannik Sinner thought-about leaving tennis totally earlier this 12 months earlier than he accepted a three-month doping ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Company.
Requested throughout an interview with Italian state TV RAI if he ever thought of quitting, the top-ranked Sinner replied, “Sure.”
“I bear in mind earlier than the Australian Open this 12 months, it wasn’t a really completely happy time,” Sinner stated. “I did not actually really feel comfy within the locker room, the place we have been consuming. Gamers have been me otherwise. I stated to myself, ‘Possibly I must take a while off after Australia.’ I did not need [the ban], although.”
Sinner gained his second straight Australian Open title in January.
It wasn’t till February that the settlement was made within the doping case, after WADA appealed a choice final 12 months by the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company to exonerate Sinner for what it deemed to be an unintentional contamination by a banned anabolic steroid in March 2024.
“I had a troublesome time accepting these three months. As a result of I knew that I did not do something mistaken. So why do I’ve to pay this worth?” Sinner stated. “However then we mentioned it with my lawyer and about what might have occurred within the worst-case state of affairs, and so we determined to just accept it.”
The dealing with of Sinner’s case raised questions on double requirements. The optimistic checks weren’t publicly revealed till August as a result of Sinner efficiently appealed towards being provisionally banned from taking part in. He then gained the US Open in September.
The settlement additionally raised questions, because it permits Sinner to return subsequent week on the Italian Open, his residence match, and never miss any Grand Slams.
“The final 12 months was undoubtedly very hectic,” Sinner stated within the interview, which was broadcast late Tuesday. “However we have been nonetheless capable of get hold of unimaginable outcomes. We began this 12 months rather well too. Then what occurred occurred. Initially it was a bit unusual to search out myself in that scenario. Additionally, quite a lot of issues occurred off the court docket that I did not anticipate.”
A number of high gamers prompt that Sinner was handled too evenly.
“I do not even need to reply. Everyone seems to be free to say what they need. For me, the essential factor is that I do know what occurred,” Sinner stated. “I do not want it upon anybody who’s harmless to undergo what I went by means of.”
Regardless of having performed only one match this 12 months, Sinner held on to his high rating throughout his ban as a result of No. 2 Alexander Zverev and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz did not win sufficient when he was out to overhaul him.
“I miss the competitors,” Sinner stated. “I am very completely happy that this era is finished, and I am able to play once more.”
