The conditions of Jannik Sinner’s ban have been relaxed, and the 23-year-old can resume ‘official training activity’ before his return at the Italian Open. Sinner accepted a three-month suspension as part of a case resolution agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency in February and, until now, could not use public tennis courts or gyms.
Sinner has also learned that he is guaranteed to remain the world No. 1 when he makes his comeback on home soil next month, with Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz unable to catch him in the rankings.
Sinner’s year-long doping saga reached a conclusion in February when he agreed to a three-month ban that would run until May 4, 2025.
During his suspension, the world No. 1 has missed three Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo and will also be absent in Madrid.
The three-time Major winner has been severely limited in training. He could only use private gym facilities and practice at private tennis courts with non-professionally registered sparring partners.
But Sinner will now be allowed to ramp up his practice sessions, as WADA previously confirmed that ‘Mr. Sinner may return to official training activity from 13 April 2025.’
The 23-year-old resides in Monaco and will be able to start hitting at the Monte-Carlo Country Club, which recently staged a Masters 1000 event.
Sinner has three weeks left of his suspension and will be keen to get into shape before returning at the Italian Open, which kicks off on May 7.
The world No. 1 has only played one tournament so far this year, successfully defending his Australian Open title. He was on-site in Doha ready to compete in the ATP 500 event in February when he suddenly accepted the three-month ban.
Ahead of his return, Sinner can be safe in the knowledge that he will still be the world No. 1 when he finally gets back on the match court in Rome.
Zverev seemed primed to close the gap with Sinner in the rankings and take his top spot but has gone 6-6 in matches since the Italian was suspended.
When the German lost his opening match in Monte-Carlo last week, it confirmed that Sinner would remain at the top of the pile. Zverev has since dropped down to No. 3 in the world, with Alcaraz leapfrogging him for second place.
Sinner recently opened up on his and his team’s decision to accept a three-month suspension in a case-resolution agreement with WADA, admitting he didn’t fully agree with the ban.
“The decision to reach an agreement was very quick, even though I didn’t fully agree. In the end, I chose the lesser evil, even though it was unfair, but there could have been a greater injustice,” he told Sky Sports.
Ahead of his comeback next month, the 19-time title winner added: “I don’t know what might happen. It will be difficult making a comeback with so much attention on me.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk