Jannik Sinner says last year’s doping suspension made him a stronger, more mature person as he prepares to defend his Australian Open title.
MELBOURNE: Defending champion Jannik Sinner says a three-month doping ban last year made him a stronger person and more relaxed on court.
The Italian world number two arrived at Melbourne Park last year under intense pressure, not knowing his fate after a drugs scandal.
He managed to win the title but his career was then put on hold as he served a suspension for twice testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid in 2024.
Sinner always maintained the product entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist.
The World Anti-Doping Agency said he did not intend to cheat but ordered the ban as he was responsible for his entourage’s actions.
“Last year was definitely a much more difficult situation because in this moment last year I didn’t know exactly what’s going to happen,” Sinner said.
He said the experience was difficult for him and his family, but he tried to stay with the people he loved.
Sinner’s ban expired in May and he bounced back to win Wimbledon and the ATP Finals.
“It got me even stronger as a person,” he said.
“The person I’ve become it’s much more mature in a way because I see things when they’re not going in the right direction different ways.”
He added that he now lives the sport in a very different, more relaxed way while still giving everything he has.
Sinner will begin his title defence against France’s Hugo Gaston.
He is coached by Australian Darren Cahill, whom Sinner described as hugely important for the team.
“He’s the man who has under control kind of everything,” Sinner said.
“He’s our dad for the whole team.”
Should Sinner win the title again, he would join Novak Djokovic as the only men in the Open era to win three Australian Opens in a row.
