Jannik Sinner will only have to serve a three-month suspension from the professional tour, after reaching an agreement with WADA that was made official on Saturday. The world No.1 had to miss the Doha ATP 500 this week and will also forfeit the Indian Wells Masters 1000, Miami Open, Monte Carlo Masters 1000, Munich ATP and Mutua Madrid Open.
His suspension will end on May 4, which is why he will be regularly on the court at the Rome Masters 1000 which he will use as preparation for Roland Garros.
Many players and insiders are convinced that this agreement – at a strategic moment of the season – represents too convenient a solution for the 3-time Grand Slam champion. The Italian ace will not have to miss any Major tournaments and has an excellent chance of staying at the top of the ATP ranking despite this three-month stop.
Liam Broady slams Sinner
The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria is resting in Dubai right now, while his team is choosing the location of his training until April 13 (when he will be able to return to practice anywhere).
Meanwhile, British ace Liam Broady has expressed his disappointment with the deal between Sinner and WADA, suggesting that the Italian has received privileged treatment.
“It’s an interesting ban. It ends the day before the Rome Masters, which is the biggest tournament in his home country and the perfect preparation for him to then go and play the French Open. It’s like a footballer being banned over the summer” – Broady said in an interview with ‘BBC Sport’.
Sinner – who had been acquitted by ITIA in the first instance having proven his innocence – would have risked a ban of one to two years if he had reached the trial before the CAS in Lausanne (scheduled for 16 and 17 April).
His team of lawyers studied the papers very well and understood that this agreement was the best solution to avoid further prolonging a situation that was stressing Jannik too much and that had lasted for about a year.
Tennis World USA