Jannik Sinner speaks his heart out in his first interview after controversial ban: 'I chose the lesser evil'

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has broken his silence for the first time since his controversial doping suspension earlier this year. In a heartfelt interview with Sky Italy, the 22-year-old opened up about the emotional toll the episode has taken on him, admitting he was left “very fragile” following the announcement of his three-month ban.

Sinner was handed the suspension on 15 February after reaching a swift agreement with WADA, a move that allowed him to avoid a lengthy trial at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. The ban ends on 4 May, paving the way for his much-anticipated return at the Italian Open in Rome, just weeks before the 2025 Roland Garros in France.

Jannik Sinner on his ban

In his first public remarks since the suspension, Sinner shared the emotional chaos he endured behind the scenes after the ban. The reigning Australian Open champion revealed that despite the controversy, he received a lot of strength from his inner circle, including friends and family.

“I was very fragile after what happened, because many things happened, including unexpected reactions on my part. But in life, you learn; year after year, I get to know myself better. The people close to me gave me the strength to understand and move forward,” Sinner said.

Sinner: I chose the lesser evil

Sinner revealed that although he didn’t fully agree with the ruling, he decided to accept the punishment to avoid an even bigger controversy.

“The decision to reach an agreement was very quick, even though I didn’t fully agree. In the end, I chose the lesser evil, even though it was unfair. But there could have been a greater injustice.”

The Italian star admitted it has taken time to recover from what had happened and that there were challenges he faced during his absence.

“I learned a lot of things, but I already knew that tennis isn’t the most important thing. There are people out there who care a lot—family will always come first, friends are crucial. But above all, it’s good to have people around you that you can trust.”

Sinner all set for a comeback

Sinner hasn’t played a competitive match since lifting the Australian Open title in January, his third Grand Slam victory. Despite his three-month absence, he is expected to hold onto the No. 1 ATP ranking when he returns to the court at the Rome Masters 1000.

With the French Open around the corner, all eyes will be on how Sinner copes with the pressure of playing in a Grand Slam after months of absence.