Time served and ban completed, as the outcast returns to the tennis court after being banned for three months by the World Anti-Doping Agency in February.
Last year on March 10 and 18, Jannik Sinner tested positive for a prohibited substance, Clostebol.
His fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, purchased the medication over the counter while his physiotherapist then used the spray containing Clostebol to treat his small wound while giving him a massage.
The WADA launched an appeal after the 23-year-old was cleared of all charges by the independent panel, pushing for him to be banned for two years or more.
Before that appeal could go through, Sinner reached a settlement with the anti-doping agency for a shorter suspension.
Still World number one, Sinner is expected to make his return at the Italian Open, starting on May 6 until May 18 in Rome, as his ban expires on May 5.
Speaking to the Italian broadcaster RAI, Sinner expressed how he did not feel comfortable playing again after all eyes were on him during the Australian Open. Some players looked at him differently without the same respect they had for him before.
“I remember before the Australian Open this year, I was not in a very happy moment because there was still that case of doping. I didn’t really feel comfortable in the locker room, where I ate.
“It was a bit like some players looked at me differently and I didn’t like it at all.I felt like being in tennis, with that atmosphere, was too much. I was always someone who joked about, who went in the dressing room speaking with whoever, but it became different.
“I wasn’t at ease. I didn’t feel comfortable and then I said, maybe after Australia, a little bit of free time, in the sense where I take a little break, it will do me good,” Sinner explained.
Sinner received a lot of backlash from tennis colleagues with three-time Swiss Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka saying some players resort to prohibited substances to gain an edge, thinking they’ll get away with it, it’s a clear case of cheating, and there’s no place for it in a fair competition.
“I do not believe in clean sport anymore,” he said.
Sinner did not take the backlash lying down, as he did not want to entertain it.
“I don’t want to respond to criticism. People are free to say what they want and judge people. What matters to me is that I know what I’ve been through. It was difficult and I wouldn’t wish anyone to go through that as an innocent person.”
