World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has once again addressed the challenges stemming from his doping ban and shared his anticipation for returning to competition.
“The body needs to re-adapt. When you stop playing regularly, you get calluses again. But it`s fine. I`m really happy to be back, and I`m interested to see what my current level is.”
“Initially, I was reluctant to reach an agreement [with WADA]. Accepting the terms wasn`t easy for me, as I know what truly occurred. However, sometimes you have to choose the best option from a bad situation.”
“Perhaps some people aren`t aware, but I couldn`t even attend a simple football match. I wanted to cheer for friends competing in cycling or motorsport, but I wasn`t allowed. That was the most challenging aspect. Despite that, I tried to use the time effectively to prepare mentally for my tennis return. It`s all good now. I`m very glad I was able to spend this period with my family.”
“Last year was really tough for me due to all the pressure. For months, I could barely talk to anyone about what occurred. I was in a difficult place at the beginning of the Australian Open. It was hard, so a short break was beneficial. Three months… it is what it is. The small break was useful. I felt like I hadn`t played for a long time.”
“It`s still unclear what my current form is like; it will be easier to evaluate over time. I`ll know my level after the first match.”
“At the start of the ban, I didn`t follow tennis very closely; I didn`t watch Indian Wells or Miami. I only knew the results,” Sinner stated during the press conference.
