Still number one & ‘sparring’ with Draper – return of Sinner

Nobody was aware that Jannik Sinner would not play tennis for more than 100 days when he won the Australian Open trophy in late January.

The world no. 1 was given a three-month ban for failing two doping tests in March 2024, three weeks after his third Grand Slam triumph.

After testing positive for the banned substance clostebol, Sinner was found not guilty of any wrongdoing by an independent panel.

However, the 23-year-old Italian was later told that he must bear responsibility for “his] entourage’s negligence” and was then suspended until Sunday night.

Sinner will still be regarded as the world’s top men’s player when he returns to the court this week in Rome.

Alexander Zverev, the player Sinner defeated in the Melbourne final, had a huge gap of 3,695 points when they won the Australian Open.

Sinner watched as both of his closest rivals fumble the chance to significantly close the gap from his ostracized position.

Zverev had lost yet another Grand Slam final in an attempt to capture a major title. He was deeply affected by it.

The 28-year-old German was defeated by Frenchman Arthur Fils in the Miami Open fourth round, 43rd-ranked Tallon Griekspoor in the second round, and American qualifier Learner Tien in the Acapulco second round.

Losing his opening match in Monte Carlo caused irreparable harm, leaving Sinner’s pursuit of the Munich title meaningless.

Zverev thinks that Zverev’s potential to become the world’s number one didn’t matter.

He claimed, “I was just playing bad, to be honest.”

Alcaraz, who had already won four major titles before turning 22 years old, had made up even more ground.

The Spaniard had a strong start by winning the Rotterdam title, but a string of defeats in Miami, Doha, and Indian Wells halted his momentum.

Alcaraz couldn’t regain the top spot despite winning Monte Carlo and making the final of Barcelona last month.

He was turned off by constant talk of pursuing Sinner.

Many people have questioned how crucial it was for Jannik’s ban to reclaim the top spot, according to Alcaraz.

Instead of playing my good tennis and enjoying the time I spent on the court, I was thinking too much about it.

Instead of a dominant player emerging, Sinner’s absence produced a carousel of champions, including Czech teenager Jakub Mensik and British teenager Jack Draper, both of whom won their first Masters titles.

Sinner makes a comeback to an open-ended ATP Tour.

Sinner will undoubtedly be welcomed as a hero by the home crowd when he competes at the Italian Open.

The “Sinnermania,” which won the ATP Finals in Turin last year, demonstrated how supportive his fellow citizens were during the doping controversy.

It is no wonder that the mountaineer in northern Italy has the best season of his career in recent memory, 2024, and it is also no wonder he is regarded highly at home.

However, the locker room might be frostier for reception.

Sinner has mentioned at the Australian Open how uncomfortable he was with his fellow competitors.

He told Italian broadcaster RAI, “I didn’t like it at all… It was a bit like some players looked at me differently.”

Many players, including three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka, criticized the manner in which Sinner’s case was handled, while others felt that the timing of his suspension was appropriate.

Sinner has been able to play some tennis, but he is only allowed to play competitively until Monday.

As long as he avoided making contact with other professional players, he was permitted to practice at a private training facility from the start of the ban until April 13th.

After the pair were pictured having dinner together in Monte Carlo, it became clear that he had been hitting with Dominic Thiem, the recently retired 2020 US Open champion.

Thiem, however, rejected the suggestion.

Thiem told BBC Sport, “I believe I would not be]good enough” for him and his level.

Sinner may begin “official training activity” on the Wada rules starting on April 13th.

Sinner sent Draper, a friend he has played doubles for on the ATP Tour, to Monte Carlo for a few days of clay-based practice sessions.

When asked about Sinner’s skill level, Draper responded, “He’s very consistent, and he’s playing great.”

He’s getting better every day, though he’s a little rusty in some places. He was improving more and more as we played.

Sinner was surrounded by his trusted Monaco-based coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill, as well as physio Ulises Badio, Andrea Cipolla, and Simone Vagnozzi.

Draper claimed that the trip was solely for business.

The 23-year-old world number six lost to Sinner in the US Open semi-finals last year and said, “I didn’t speak to him too much, to be honest.”

Jannik is regarded as the best player in the sport because of how well he plays the game.

He appeared to be in good spirits, appeared to be in good spirits, and exhibited great teamwork and support from admirers throughout a difficult time.

In practice sessions after Draper moved on to the Madrid Open, Sinner enlisted the assistance of Norwegian junior Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.

Outside of tennis, Sinner has pursued his other interests by spending time with his family in Italy.

He was pictured sat with Vogue editor Anna Wintour at Milan Fashion Week shortly after his ban was made.

In between tennis matches in recent weeks, the player has been enjoying skiing, biking, and go-karting, according to a source close to Sinner.