“End of the Story” - Jannik Sinner Breaks Silence on His Long-Awaited Comeback and How Rivals May React

“I cannot control the players’ reaction, and if I have something to say to someone, I go there privately because I’m this kind of person,” Jannik Sinner said during the 2024 US Open amid massive backlash for his failed dope tests. With that statement, it was clear how he was going to approach the situation. Despite his silence, though, others have been vocal—critics have weighed in on the perceived preferential treatment given to the Italian star compared to lower-ranked players, particularly after WADA reached an out-of-court settlement with him before the trial got underway at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). This debate has gone on for a while, but now Sinner’s return is inching closer. What message does the World No. 1 have for his rivals who’ve had the chance to surpass him during his absence?

Sinner, after a tumultuous period, reflected on his return to tennis. Following a doping case where he was initially cleared by the ITIA for “no fault or negligence,” WADA appealed the decision to CAS with a probable suspension of up to two years. However, Sinner received a three-month ban eventually, with an out-of-court settlement, and missed crucial tournaments like the Middle East swing and the Sunshine Double.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports recently, the Australian Open champion was asked how the other players would react to his return. He stated, “I don’t know how other players will react. I know what happened, and I know I am innocent.” Is this confidence or humility?

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Jannik added, “I am calm because in the end I know that what I want to do is to play tennis and be serene. That’s the end of the story. So, I am sure all will go well, even if at the beginning it will take a while to start over. These are questions I don’t know how to answer.”

His last match was during the Australian Open, where he reigned as a two-time champion despite battling fatigue and illness. For someone who has held a winning streak since the Shanghai Masters in October, Jannik is counting down the time to his return to competitive tennis. “Why? Because I stopped doing what I always dreamed of doing. I am in the best position to play this sport,” he said.

At just 23, Sinner has three major titles, with a total of 19 titles under his belt. When he received the offer from WADA for an out-of-court settlement and a three-month suspension, he had just won the Australian Open, proving his dominance on the Tour yet again.

Despite missing key events like the Indian Wells and Miami Open, Sinner remains the world’s top-ranked player. His absence hasn’t significantly altered the ATP rankings; he still leads Alexander Zverev by 2,685 points and Carlos Alcaraz by 3,610. Sinner has been the World No.1 for 43 weeks now.

The Italian has been vocal about his challenges through this doping saga as he has dealt with the anxiety of the situation. However, now two months into the ban, he’s feeling “better physically and mentally.” He noted, “Even if there is still time, it is a good opportunity for me to improve in those areas in which I had difficulties, on a surface on which I struggle. So, let’s try to do something different. Hopefully it works otherwise we will have more time to try again.” This period of reflection has given him a chance to reassess his game and prepare for his comeback.

While Sinner is looking forward to his return, the former pros claim that he’ll be dominating the tour again right after his comeback.

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Jannik gets the support of former pros as his comeback inches closer

Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension might seem like a setback, but the former world No. 6 Gilles Simon sees it as a strategic advantage for the Italian. “It’s a three-month suspension where he’s practicing, so basically it’s a three-month preparation,” Simon told Tennis365 on April 2. “He’s going to play a bit to find the rhythm again, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to find it quickly.” This downtime has allowed Sinner to heal and prepare, setting him up for a strong comeback.

Sinner’s grit is well-documented. Last year, he battled through a wrist injury to win the US Open semifinals against Jack Draper and claim the title. Simon believes this break could be a blessing in disguise for the 3-time GS winner: “He’s healthy, he had time to also maybe heal the parts of the body that maybe needed some work on it. Any work he had to do, he had time to do it.”

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Former Italian pro Adriano Panatta echoes the same sentiment, saying, “Jannik Sinner is ready for Rome, a break can sometimes do good… I am convinced that Jannik has used this period to improve his game on clay and has not lost his physical shape. They tell me that he has trained a lot and, fortunately, he has also maintained the top of the rankings,” as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport on April 1.

As Sinner’s return nears, the tennis world is buzzing with anticipation. Will he pick up where he left off, or will his rivals seize the opportunity to close the gap? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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