Casper Ruud offered some kind words for Jannik Sinner following the Italian’s ban from tennis as the Norwegian described his rival as “a good guy” and noted that he remains “the best player” in the game.
This past weekend, the Sinner doping saga came to a definitive resolution after the three-time Grand Slam champion settled with the WADA on a three-month doping ban.
Since the suspension silently started on February 9th, it will run through May 4th, and will expire right in time for the world No. 1 to compete at the Rome Masters and the French Open.
And most importantly, the 23-year-old isn’t anymore in danger of missing any Grand Slams in 2025 due to a ban.
“I know Jannik very well. I am with him. I think he is a good guy. Of course, after this, he will still be the best player in the world,” Ruud said, via Italian tennis journalist Luca Florino.
🇳🇴 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗨𝗨𝗗 𝗦𝗨 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 🗣️
“Conosco molto bene Jannik. Sono con lui. Penso che sia un bravo ragazzo. Naturalmente, dopo questo, sarà ancora il miglior giocatore del mondo”#tennis | #Ruud | #Sinner pic.twitter.com/ibejnDjJAk
— Luca Fiorino (@FiorinoLuca) February 17, 2025
Sinner’s message after the news broke out
The WADA never alleged that the Italian knowingly or intentionally took a prohibited substance.
But from the start, they felt that the world No. 1 deserved to be sanctioned in some capacity because their belief is that every athlete also bears responsibility for potential mistakes of their team.
And in his statement, Sinner claimed that he understood the WADA’s position and ultimately agreed to compromise with the anti-doping agency.
“This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year,” he said in a statement.
“I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize WADA’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love.
“On that basis I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a 3-month sanction.”
There may be no more uncertainty regarding Sinner’s doping case but some still aren’t happy as there is a group of people who still don’t think this was a proper sanction.
Anyway, the 23-year-old can now sleep peacefully as he now knows that he won’t be out for a very long time.
Tennis World USA