Jannik Sinner’s ban from tennis has “worked out pretty well” as it has helped him to up his game, according to John McEnroe while Mats Wilander is in awe of the Italian’s latest performance.
In yet another ruthless display, Sinner sent Andrey Rublev packing from the French Open as he brushed the 17th seed aside in just over two hours, winning 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.
Sinner has certainly looked fresh in the two tournaments he has played since returning from his three-month suspension for his failed drug tests in 2024.
Having twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol last March, Sinner was cleared of any wrongdoing and allowed to continue playing, but the World Anti-Doping Agency [WADA] appealed the decision as they felt he should serve a suspension.
The 23-year-old’s lawyers came to an agreement with WADA officials in February this year as they settled on ban, starting on February 9 and ending on May 4 with his first tournament back the Italian Open.
He went on to finish runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz in Rome and has continued his exceptional form at the clay-court Grand Slam.
Following his emphatic win over Rublev, former world No 1 McEnroe gave his views to TNT Sports, saying: “To me, in a way, [his ban] was like, dare I say, a blessing in disguise.
“Beause there was a lot going on, obviously, the suspension we were like ‘Is it gonna happen? Is it not? Then he was exonerated, then he wasn’t. Then he accepted this three-month ban.
“He had won his second major, but to me, the good part was that he had a chance to sort of regroup get away from it, you know, and maybe ’cause I was unaware that this was even happening, so that must have been a lot of stress on him.
“I know it was killing him, that he wasn’t playing, but I how many tournaments did he really need to be playing? I don’t think that many.
“He needed a break after Australia. So perhaps he would have played two, three or four more, but I think it’s worked out pretty well for him to come back in Rome, get to the final, and now he’s looking great.”
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The world No 1 is yet to drop a set at Roland Garros and will face Alexander Bublik, who upset Jack Draper in the fourth round, for a place in the semi-final.
McEnroe’s fellow great Wilander hailed the three-time Grand Slam winner’s aggressive performance.
“Can I say speechless? Because he’s unbelievable,” the Swede said. He literally doesn’t wait for the ball to go anywhere. He wants to take it as early as possible on both sides, especially on the backhand side.
“I’ve never seen anyone be this aggressive from the baseline. And he’s looking to come forward, too, which I love.”
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