World number one Jannik Sinner considered walking away from tennis during his doping case, stating he “didn’t feel comfortable” as players looked at him “differently” during the Australian Open.
The 23-year-old Italian returned two positive tests for banned substance in March 2024 and accepted a three-month ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency in February, just weeks after successfully defending his crown in Melbourne.
Sinner had previously been cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent panel, but Wada launched an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking a ban of up to two years.
However, he reached a settlement with the anti-doping agency for a shorter sanction and is expected to make his comeback at the Italian Open in Rome after his ban expires, on May 5.
Wada acknowledged Sinner did not gain any competitive advantage from the banned substance, and that he bore no fault for an accidental contamination.