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Jannik Sinner Returns to Italian Open After Doping Ban

The ATP World No. 1 resumes competition at his home tournament following a three-month suspension for accidental contamination.

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Tennis - Italian Open - Jannik Sinner Press Conference - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 5, 2025 Italy's Jannik Sinner during the press conference
Tennis - Italian Open - Jannik Sinner Press Conference - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 5, 2025 Italy's Jannik Sinner during the press conference REUTERS/Yves Herman
Tennis - Italian Open - Jannik Sinner Press Conference - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 5, 2025 Italy's Jannik Sinner during the press conference REUTERS/Yves Herman

Overview

  • Jannik Sinner's three-month doping ban, imposed after a settlement with WADA, expired on May 4, allowing him to compete at the Italian Open.
  • The ban stemmed from accidental contamination by clostebol, with Sinner accepting the suspension to avoid a potentially harsher penalty.
  • Sinner is the first Italian World No. 1 to compete at the Italian Open, where he received a hero's welcome, including a sold-out open practice session.
  • Fellow players, including Serena Williams and Stan Wawrinka, have criticized the perceived leniency of Sinner's ban, fueling ongoing debate about fairness in anti-doping rulings.
  • Sinner, who has not played since winning the Australian Open in January, enters the tournament as the top seed and will face either Mariano Navone or Federico Cina in his opening match.