World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has revealed he contemplated leaving the sport of tennis during the intense fallout from his doping case earlier this year.
The top-ranked player is currently preparing for his return to competition after accepting a three-month suspension from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This ban stemmed from positive tests for a prohibited steroid last March.
Sinner was initially cleared, as it was accepted that the banned substance entered his body accidentally via a product used by his then-physiotherapist during a massage session. However, WADA subsequently appealed this initial decision.
In February, less than a month after triumphing at the Australian Open for his third Grand Slam title, it was announced that the Italian player had agreed to the short ban, which is set to conclude on May 5th.
The case has generated significant discussion and strong reactions both within and outside the tennis community. Many have suggested that Sinner received lenient or preferential treatment, although he has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the process.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster RAI, Sinner described feeling uncomfortable upon his arrival in Australia in January, perceiving that fellow players viewed him differently. He stated directly, “For a moment, I even thought about giving up everything.”
He credited his support system – his team and close acquaintances – with helping him shift his perspective. He explained how he “built my own bubble, where no one else entered,” and that this focus reignited his desire to continue competing and prepare effectively for major tournaments.
Sinner expressed relief that this challenging phase is now behind him and conveyed his readiness to return to the court, adding that perhaps even a brief interruption was ultimately beneficial for him.
Sinner is anticipated to make his comeback appearance at his home tournament, the Italian Open in Rome, scheduled to begin next Wednesday.
He currently holds an impressive 21-match winning streak, dating back to his final loss against Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing in early October. He also maintains a substantial lead of nearly 2,000 points at the top of the ATP rankings.
