Tennis World no.1 Jannik Sinner who earlier this year accepted a three month ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, said that he even considered quitting the sport due to the controversy. Asked during an interview with Italian state TV RAI if he ever thought about quitting, he replied in affirmative.
“I remember before the Australian Open this year, it wasn’t a very happy time. I didn’t really feel comfortable in the locker room, where we were eating. Players were looking at me differently. I said to myself, Maybe I need to take some time off after Australia.’ I didn’t want (the ban) though,” he said.
“I had a tough time accepting these three months. Because I knew that I didn’t do anything wrong. So why do I have to pay this price?. But then we discussed it with my lawyer and about what could have happened in the worst-case scenario and so we decided to accept it,” he added.
Sinner last played on January 26, when he brushed aside Alexander Zverev in straight sets to successfully defend his Australian Open crown. But just weeks after that high, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced that the Italian had agreed to a three-month ban following two positive tests for the banned substance Clostebol in March 2024.
His suspension officially began on February 9, ruling him out of the early part of the season. Now, Sinner is set for a comeback at the Italian Open on May 4, with the Hamburg Open also on his schedule as he gears up for the French Open, which begins on May 25.
After his ban, a lot of current and former players had opined that the top ranked star had been let off too lightly.
“I don’t even want to respond. Everyone is free to say what they want. For me, the important thing is that I know what happened. I don’t wish it upon anyone who is innocent to go through what I went through,” Sinner said.
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