Sinner Considered Quitting During Doping Case

World number 1 Jannik Sinner considered stepping distant from tennis during his doping case, stating he "didn't consciousness comfortable" arsenic players looked astatine him "differently" during nan Australian Open.

The 23-year-old Italian returned 2 affirmative tests for banned constituent clostebol successful March 2024 and accepted a three-month prohibition from nan World Anti-Doping Agency successful February, conscionable weeks aft successfully defending his crown successful Melbourne.

"I retrieve earlier nan Australian Open this year, I was not successful a very happy infinitesimal because location was still that lawsuit of doping," Sinner told Italian broadcaster RAI.

"I didn't really consciousness comfortable successful nan locker room, wherever I ate. It was a spot for illustration immoderate players looked astatine maine otherwise and I didn't for illustration it astatine all.

"I felt for illustration being successful tennis, pinch that atmosphere, was excessively much. I was ever personification who joked about, who went successful nan dressing room speaking pinch whoever, but it became different. I wasn't astatine ease.

"I didn't consciousness comfortable and past I said, possibly aft Australia, a small spot of free time, successful nan consciousness wherever I return a small break, it will do maine good."

Sinner had antecedently been cleared of immoderate wrongdoing by an independent panel, but Wada launched an entreaty to nan Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), seeking a prohibition of up to 2 years.

However, he reached a colony pinch nan anti-doping agency for a shorter punishment and is expected to make his comeback astatine nan Italian Open (6-18 May) successful Rome aft his prohibition expires connected 5 May.

Wada acknowledged Sinner did not summation immoderate competitory advantage from nan banned substance, and that he bore nary responsibility for an accidental contamination.

His prohibition was criticised by immoderate successful nan tennis world, pinch 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams stating she would person received a 20-year prohibition and had her titles "taken away".

Former British number 1 Tim Henman labelled nan statement "too convenient", while three-time Swiss Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka said he "did not judge successful cleanable athletics anymore".

However, Sinner defended his position arsenic he added: "I don't want to respond to criticism. People are free to opportunity what they want and judge people.

"What matters to maine is that I known what I've been through. It was difficult and I wouldn't wish anyone to spell done that arsenic an guiltless person."