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Perth Now
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Controversial world No.1 makes shock retirement admission at 23
Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner admits he considered quitting the sport because of the turmoil surrounding his doping suspension. Asked in an interview on Italian broadcaster Rai TV if there was ever a moment he wanted to give it all up, the 23-year-old world No.1 hesitated briefly before responding: 'Yes. I remember that I wasn't in a very happy place before the Australian Open this year'. At the start of January in Melbourne — a grand slam he won — it was still unclear if Sinner would face a lengthy suspension because of his doping case from 2024, when he blamed a masseur for giving him a banned cream. In the end, a deal was made in February whereby he would receive a short three-month ban and return for the Italian Open, which starts next week. Sinner said he was anxious at the turn of the year about what 2025 might bring. 'I arrived in Australia and didn't feel comfortable, whether in the locker room or while eating. The players were looking at me differently. That wasn't nice,' he said. 'It's hard to live like that in tennis. I've always been someone who jokes around, goes into the locker room, and talks to this or that player. But now it was different, and it didn't feel good.' The handling of Sinner's case had raised concerns about double standards. The positive tests weren't publicly revealed until August because Sinner successfully appealed against being provisionally banned from playing. He then won the US Open in September. It also raised questions, since it conveniently allows Sinner to return next week at the Italian Open — his home tournament — and not miss any grand slams. Serena Williams believes she would have suffered a heavier punishment than Jannik Sinner. Credit: AAP Several top players, including Australian Nick Kyrgios, and American champion Serena Williams, have suggested Sinner was treated too lightly. However, the three-time grand slam champion does not believe he received any special treatment. 'There were no different procedures, even though there was criticism in my case that I was treated differently. But I had many hearings. And maybe they even tested me more afterwards,' Sinner said. 'I struggled to accept those three months. In my mind, I thought I didn't do anything wrong. I wouldn't wish anyone to go through something like this as an innocent person.' Sinner's comments come in the same week that dual grand slam doubles champion Max Purcell accepted an 18-month ban for breaching anti-doping rules. In December, the 27-year-old Australian entered a voluntary provisional suspension after admitting to breaching Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) 'relating to the use of a prohibited method'. Purcell received IV infusions of more than 500ml twice in December 2023 after falling ill in Bali, with the limit under the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP 100ml in a 12-hour period. After an investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, Purcell's penalty was reduced by 25 per cent because of his 'full co-operation and information sharing'. With time served under the voluntary provisional suspension, Purcell's suspension ends on June 11, 2026.
7NEWS
01-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
World No.1 tennis star Jannik Sinner says he considered retirement amid controversial doping saga
Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner admits he considered quitting the sport because of the turmoil surrounding his doping suspension. Asked in an interview on Italian broadcaster Rai TV if there was ever a moment he wanted to give it all up, the 23-year-old world No.1 hesitated briefly before responding: 'Yes. I remember that I wasn't in a very happy place before the Australian Open this year'. At the start of January in Melbourne — a grand slam he won — it was still unclear if Sinner would face a lengthy suspension because of his doping case from 2024, when he blamed a masseur for giving him a banned cream. In the end, a deal was made in February whereby he would receive a short three-month ban and return for the Italian Open, which starts next week. Sinner said he was anxious at the turn of the year about what 2025 might bring. 'I arrived in Australia and didn't feel comfortable, whether in the locker room or while eating. The players were looking at me differently. That wasn't nice,' he said. 'It's hard to live like that in tennis. I've always been someone who jokes around, goes into the locker room, and talks to this or that player. But now it was different, and it didn't feel good.' The handling of Sinner's case had raised concerns about double standards. The positive tests weren't publicly revealed until August because Sinner successfully appealed against being provisionally banned from playing. He then won the US Open in September. It also raised questions, since it conveniently allows Sinner to return next week at the Italian Open — his home tournament — and not miss any grand slams. Several top players, including Australian Nick Kyrgios, and American champion Serena Williams, have suggested Sinner was treated too lightly. However, the three-time grand slam champion does not believe he received any special treatment. 'There were no different procedures, even though there was criticism in my case that I was treated differently. But I had many hearings. And maybe they even tested me more afterwards,' Sinner said. 'I struggled to accept those three months. In my mind, I thought I didn't do anything wrong. I wouldn't wish anyone to go through something like this as an innocent person.' Sinner's comments come in the same week that dual grand slam doubles champion Max Purcell accepted an 18-month ban for breaching anti-doping rules. In December, the 27-year-old Australian entered a voluntary provisional suspension after admitting to breaching Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) 'relating to the use of a prohibited method'. Purcell received IV infusions of more than 500ml twice in December 2023 after falling ill in Bali, with the limit under the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP 100ml in a 12-hour period. After an investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, Purcell's penalty was reduced by 25 per cent because of his 'full co-operation and information sharing'. With time served under the voluntary provisional suspension, Purcell's suspension ends on June 11, 2026.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alex de Minaur blows golden opportunity as tennis rocked over Jannik Sinner confession
Alex de Minaur has let slip a huge opportunity to improve his world ranking and win a clay court title after going down to Lorenzo Musetti in Madrid as Jannik Sinner made a shock reveal he contemplated walking away from tennis. De Minaur had a golden opportunity to push deep into the Madrid Open this week with Carlos Alcaraz not entering the tournament and Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev eliminated in the early rounds. But after winning his first two matches in straight sets, de Minaur was bundled out in the same manner to Musetti 6-4 6-2. The Italian defeated the 26-year-old Aussie in Monte Carlo two weeks ago and prevailed again in the Spanish capital wth de Minaur failing to make a dent on Musetti's serve. De Minaur didn't earn a single break point across the two sets and only won 42 per cent of his second serve. Musetti has proved to have the Aussie's measure on clay this season and will now surge into the top 10 rankings. De Minaur will rue his missed opportunity to reach the quarter-final with the Aussie the second-highest seed left in the draw after Jack Draper. The British star has now surged ahead of de Minaur in the rankings ahead of Roland Garros and has more time to distance himself as a top 10 player. De Minaur also faces the prospect of dropping down if Daniil Medvedev and Musetti reach the semi-final. While de Minaur is enjoying a stellar year having won the most singles matches on tour, his struggles against top opportunity are being laid bare. The Aussie is still seeking his first title in 2025 and it was pointed out it's only going to get harder for him with the younger generation getting stronger and stronger. Regardless, de Minaur might fancy his opportunity at Roland Garros across five sets. One of the Aussie's best weapons is his speed and endurance, which will serve him well on the clay courts of Paris. His main goal till then is improving on his ranking to avoid the top seeds such as the returning Sinner and Alcaraz in the draw until later in the tournament. 🇮🇹 Sinner🇪🇸 Alcaraz🇬🇧 Draper🇩🇰 Rune🇮🇹 Musetti🇺🇸 Shelton🇫🇷 Fils🇨🇿 MensikAre somehow all 23 or it real tough to think about 🇦🇺 Alex de Minaur's grand slam chances as a veteran 26-year-old. — Connor Joyce (@connorjoyceb) April 30, 2025 Reigning Australian Open champion Sinner has revealed the internal struggles he was facing ahead of his tennis suspension for doping. The current World No.1 entered the Australian Open earlier this year unclear if he would face a lengthy suspension because of his doping case from the previous year. Sinner failed a doping test after he blamed a masseur for giving him a banned cream. Sinner claimed he was struggling ahead of the Australian Open with no news on his case and admitted he had contemplated quitting the sport. "Yes. I remember that I wasn't in a very happy place before the Australian Open this year," he said to Italian broadcaster Rai TV ahead of his imminent return. Since winning the opening grand slam of the year, Sinner was handed a three-month suspension that will see him return at the Italian Open in the coming weeks. But the 23-year-old has opened up about the toll the ordeal took on him. "I arrived in Australia and didn't feel comfortable, whether in the locker room or while eating. The players were looking at me differently. That wasn't nice," he said. "It's hard to live like that in tennis. I've always been someone who jokes around, goes into the locker room, and talks to this or that player. But now it was different, and it didn't feel good." Many have claimed Sinner was treated differently to other players with the World No.1 still able to play tennis as the case went on. His three-month ban was also deemed leniently by many. However, Sinner has slapped down those claims and denied he did anything wrong. "There were no different procedures, even though there was criticism in my case that I was treated differently. But I had many hearings. And maybe they even tested me more afterwards," Sinner added. "I struggled to accept those three months. In my mind, I thought I didn't do anything wrong. I wouldn't wish anyone to go through something like this as an innocent person."
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Jannik Sinner says he considered quitting tennis before Australian Open, amid doping furore
Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner said this week he considered quitting the sport because of the turmoil surrounding his doping suspension. Advertisement When asked in a Rai TV interview on Tuesday if there was ever a moment when he wanted to give it all up, the 23-year-old hesitated briefly before responding: 'Yes. I remember that I wasn't in a very happy place before the Australian Open this year.' At the start of January in Melbourne – a grand slam that he won – it was still unclear whether Sinner would face a lengthy suspension before his doping case from 2024, when he blamed a masseur for giving him a banned cream. In the end, a deal was made whereby he would receive a short three-month ban and return for the Italian Open starting next week. He said he was anxious around the turn of the year about what 2025 might bring. Advertisement 'I arrived in Australia and didn't feel comfortable, whether in the locker room or while eating. The players were looking at me differently,' he added. 'That wasn't nice.
Perth Now
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Sinner considered quitting tennis amid doping furore
Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner admits he considered quitting the sport because of the turmoil surrounding his doping suspension. Asked in an interview on Italian broadcaster Rai TV if there was ever a moment he wanted to give it all up, the 23-year-old world No.1 hesitated briefly before responding: "Yes. I remember that I wasn't in a very happy place before the Australian Open this year." At the start of January in Melbourne - a grand slam he won - it was still unclear if Sinner would face a lengthy suspension because of his doping case from 2024, when he blamed a masseur for giving him a banned cream. In the end, a deal was made whereby he would receive a short three-month ban and return for the Italian Open, which starts next week. Sinner said he was anxious at the turn of the year about what 2025 might bring. "I arrived in Australia and didn't feel comfortable, whether in the locker room or while eating. The players were looking at me differently. That wasn't nice," he said. "It's hard to live like that in tennis. I've always been someone who jokes around, goes into the locker room, and talks to this or that player. But now it was different, and it didn't feel good." The three-time grand slam champion does not believe he received any special treatment despite the short length of the ban following various hearings. "There were no different procedures, even though there was criticism in my case that I was treated differently. But I had many hearings. And maybe they even tested me more afterwards," Sinner said. "I struggled to accept those three months. In my mind, I thought I didn't do anything wrong. I wouldn't wish anyone to go through something like this as an innocent person." Sinner's comments come in the same week that dual grand slam doubles champion Max Purcell accepted an 18-month ban for breaching anti-doping rules. In December, the 27-year-old Australian entered a voluntary provisional suspension after admitting to breaching Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) "relating to the use of a prohibited method". Purcell received IV infusions of more than 500ml twice in December 2023 after falling ill in Bali, with the limit under the World Anti-Doping Code and TADP 100ml in a 12-hour period. After an investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, Purcell's penalty was reduced by 25 per cent because of his "full co-operation and information sharing". With time served under the voluntary provisional suspension, Purcell's suspension ends on June 11, 2026.
