Jannik Sinner reveals he almost QUIT tennis during doping ban ordeal - as world No 1 nears return to playing amid model romance rumours
World No 1 Jannik Sinner has revealed he considered quitting tennis in the fallout of his doping saga.
The 23-year-old, who claimed victory at the Australian Open earlier this year, has been serving a suspension running from February 9 until May 4 after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over his two positive doping tests last year.
WADA appealed an initial decision by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) who cleared the Italian of any wrongdoing after he tested positive on two occasions.
The World No 1 will be eligible to play in the year's next Grand Slam event, the French Open, which starts on 19 May. However, the next tournament he can play in is the Italian Open - his home event - which begins on May 7.
Tennis's anti-doping body, the Tennis Integrity Agency, had accepted Sinner's explanation that the banned substance clostebol entered his system via a cream applied to a cut on his physio's hand. They judged he bore 'no fault or negligence' and issued no suspension. WADA appealed, seeking a ban because they believe the judgement should have been: 'no significant fault or negligence'.
Now, though, the star has opened up on the ordeal from him point of view, revealing that he almost called it quits on his career.
'When I arrived in Australia in January I was uncomfortable, also because it seemed to me that the other players looked at me differently, he said. 'For a moment, I even thought about giving up everything.'
'In the end I built my own bubble, where no one else entered, and this certainly gave me the desire to continue, the desire to prepare well for the slams. I am very happy that this phase is over and I am ready to start again, even if a period of stop, maybe not so long, was necessary for me.'
In August last year, Sinner denied allegations that he was given special treatment – and insists his conscience is clean - after he avoided a ban.
'Of course I was worried, because it was the first time for me, you know, and hopefully the last time that I am in this situation,' Sinner continued. 'I believe I'm a fair player on and off the court… in my mind I know that I haven't done anything wrong.'
The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced that, although Sinner was docked 400 ranking points and $250,000 dollars, he was found to bear 'no fault or negligence'.
The 23-year-old first tested positive during the event in Indian Wells on March 10, then again eight days later.
Sinner was provisionally suspended, but on both occasions he successfully appealed and was allowed to continue playing while the tribunal assessed the evidence. But after a lengthy, behind-close-doors investigation, the player's reason for the extremely small quantity of clostebol in his system – less than a billionth of a gram – was accepted.
He has reportedly begun a romance with Russian model Lara Leito. Italian outlet Chi Magazine pictured Sinner, 23, with 31-year-old model Leito at the Monte Carlo Country Club.
Leito reportedly greeted Sinner's coaching team and was seen filming the star as she watched him train from the stands. She was then reportedly seen hugging Sinner at the end of the session and was later leaving his Audi RS6 ABT Legacy Edition car with the pair exchanging a kiss.
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