Gilles Simon has zero concerns about how Jannik Sinner may look after returning from doping suspension as the former French tennis star pretty much thinks the Italian will continue where he left off.
After winning his third Grand Slam in 12 months at the Australian Open, the world No. 1 settled with the WADA on a three-month doping ban which will last until May 4th. Before being hit with the ban, the 23-year-old was undoubtedly the best player in the game and his 73-6 record in 2024 says everything that you need to know.
However, some think Sinner will be vulnerable at the French Open because he will still be fresh off his doping ban.
Simon explains why people shouldn’t not fool themselves by thinking Sinner won’t play well early on
“He’s going to play great. It’s a three-month suspension where he’s practicing, so basically it’s a three-month preparation. He’s going to play a bit to find the rhythm again, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to find it quickly,” the former world No. 6 told Tennis365.
“In one moment, he’s going to win, he’s going to be back on track, and he’s going to play well – because it’s not an injury, it’s a suspension. 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.
Simon’s perspective on the matter is very reasonable. Also, it is worth mentioning that the Italian will play at least two tournaments before the French Open starts – he is slated to play the Rome Masters and then the Hamburg Open the week before the Parisian Slam.
If anything, Sinner should have at least several matches under his belt before he kicks off his French Open run. And if he catches form and momentum early on, some notions about his return will quickly be dismissed.
Tennis World USA