Despite a challenging few months off the court, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is being tipped for a smooth and dominant return to the ATP Tour. Former top-10 player Gilles Simon believes the Italian star won’t skip a beat once his doping suspension ends in early May.
Sinner, who captured both the Australian Open and US Open titles in a remarkable 2024 campaign, is currently serving a three-month suspension after testing positive twice for the banned substance clostebol back in March 2024. While the news initially sent shockwaves through the tennis world, the backstory adds important context.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled in August 2024 that Sinner bore “no fault or negligence,” citing that the violation stemmed from accidental contamination, allegedly via a member of his support team. Though he was stripped of his Indian Wells prize money and ranking points, no ban was imposed at the time.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) opted to challenge the leniency of the ruling. Their appeal, originally scheduled for the Court of Arbitration for Sport in April 2025, was resolved early when both sides agreed to a settlement in February. As part of the deal, Sinner accepted a three-month suspension — effective immediately — sidelining him from major events including Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid.
Eyes Set on a Homecoming
Sinner’s absence from the spring Masters circuit will end on May 4th, 2025 — just in time for a highly anticipated return at the Italian Open in Rome. The event, beginning May 7th, will mark his first match since the suspension. The 23-year-old is also slated to compete at the ATP 500 Hamburg Open shortly before Roland Garros, where he’ll be looking to defend semifinal points and continue his pursuit of another Grand Slam crown.
Simon, a 14-time ATP titleholder, believes the short suspension won’t hamper Sinner’s rhythm or results.
“He’s going to play great,” Simon told Tennis365. “It’s a three-month suspension where he’s practicing, so basically it’s a three-month preparation. He’s going to play a bit to find the rhythm again, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to find it quickly.”
The Frenchman dismissed concerns over match rust, adding that Sinner’s physical condition has likely benefitted from the break.
“In one moment, he’s going to win, he’s going to be back on track, and he’s going to play well – because it’s not an injury, it’s a suspension,” he said.
“He’s healthy, he had time to also maybe heal the parts of the body that maybe needed some work on it. Any work he had to do, he had time to do it. And three months is not six months, or nine months, or one year, when you come back to competition. I’m really not worried about his level.”
Still the Man to Beat
Even with limited court time in 2025, Sinner has managed to hold onto his place atop the ATP rankings — a testament to the remarkable cushion he built during his dominant 2024 season, where he posted a jaw-dropping 73–6 win-loss record.
Although he lost 1,000 points after missing the chance to defend his title in Miami, Sinner still sits comfortably at the summit with 10,330 points. That keeps him 2,685 points clear of World No. 2 Alexander Zverev, and more than 3,600 points ahead of Carlos Alcaraz, currently ranked No. 3.
The Italian is due to shed points from last year’s Monte Carlo semifinal and Madrid quarterfinal appearances, but with no points to defend in Rome — having skipped the event in 2024 — he has a golden opportunity to stabilize his lead right on his return.
Hamburg also presents a key ranking opportunity, where a title could bank him 500 valuable points before the clay-court calendar reaches its climax in Paris.
What Lies Ahead
Sinner’s enforced hiatus has highlighted a striking reality on the men’s tour — even without its No. 1 player in the mix, the chasing pack hasn’t been able to capitalize. That alone underscores the dominance Sinner has asserted since the start of 2024.
And now, with a full training block behind him and no signs of injury or burnout, he appears primed to reestablish control. His comeback — potentially marked by a triumphant homecoming in Rome — is one of the most anticipated returns of the tennis year.
For now, the tennis world watches and waits, as Sinner readies to swap practice drills for real battle once again — with redemption, reputation, and Roland Garros on the horizon.