Still Number One & 'sparring' With Draper - Return Of Sinner

When Jannik Sinner lifted nan Australian Open trophy successful precocious January, cipher knew we would not spot him connected a tribunal again for complete 100 days.

Three weeks aft his 3rd Grand Slam triumph it was announced nan world number 1 had accepted a three-month prohibition for failing 2 doping tests successful March 2024.

Sinner had been cleared of immoderate wrongdoing by an independent sheet aft testing affirmative for nan banned constituent clostebol.

But nan 23-year-old Italian was subsequently told he should carnivore work "for [his] entourage's negligence" and received a suspension which ends connected Sunday night.

With Sinner group to make his comeback astatine nan Italian Open successful nan coming days, BBC Sport explains really he has not been usurped astatine nan apical of nan ATP rankings and what has been happening complete nan people of his ban.

When Sinner steps backmost connected tribunal successful Rome this week, he will still beryllium classed arsenic nan world's starring men's player.

Defending nan Australian Open title opened up a immense spread of 3,695 points to Germany's Alexander Zverev - nan subordinate Sinner hit successful nan Melbourne final.

But, pinch 4 Masters tournaments to beryllium played successful Sinner's absence, it appeared location was ample opportunity for Zverev aliases Carlos Alcaraz to dislodge him.

From his ostracised position, Sinner watched some of his nearest rivals fumble nan chance to importantly constrictive nan gap.

By losing different Grand Slam final, Zverev had fallen short again successful his quest to yet onshore a awesome title. It weighed heavy connected his mind.

The 28-year-old German was beaten by American qualifier Learner Tien successful nan Acapulco 2nd round, by 43rd-ranked Tallon Griekspoor successful nan Indian Wells 2nd round, and by France's Arthur Fils successful nan Miami Open 4th round.

Losing his opening lucifer successful Monte Carlo did irreparable damage, rendering his Munich title insignificant successful his pursuit of Sinner.

Zverev believes nan anticipation of becoming world number 1 did not person an impact.

"I was conscionable playing bad, to beryllium honest," he said.

"Australia did impact maine and location was a batch of things that, successful my mind, I was not playing well."

Alcaraz, already a four-time awesome champion earlier his 22nd birthday, had moreover further crushed to make up.

The Spaniard started positively by winning nan Rotterdam title, but a bid of defeats successful Doha, Indian Wells and - most damningly - Miami halted his momentum.

It meant Alcaraz was incapable to regain apical spot, moreover though he went connected to triumph Monte Carlo and scope nan Barcelona last past month.

Constant talk of chasing Sinner had a antagonistic connected him.

"Since Jannik's prohibition started, a batch of group asked maine astir really important nan infinitesimal was to scope number 1 again," said Alcaraz.

"I was reasoning excessively overmuch astir it, alternatively of playing my bully tennis and enjoying nan clip that I stepped connected nan court."

Instead of different ascendant subordinate emerging, Sinner's absence produced a carousel of champions - including Britain's Jack Draper and Czech teen Jakub Mensik, who some won their first Masters titles.

It intends Sinner returns to an ATP Tour that has been blown wide open.

With Alcaraz injured and 37-year-old Novak Djokovic struggling, nan existent scenery appears to supply an opportunity for Sinner - who reached nan French Open semi-finals past twelvemonth - to deed nan crushed running.

When Sinner returns astatine nan Italian Open, he is judge to person a hero's invited from nan location crowd.

Support from his compatriots has ne'er wavered during nan doping controversy, demonstrated by nan 'Sinnermania' which swept nan ATP Finals successful Turin past year.

The man from nan mountains successful bluish Italy enjoyed nan top play of his profession successful 2024 - and 1 of nan champion successful caller representation - truthful it is small wonderment he is held successful precocious esteem astatine home.

The reception mightiness beryllium frostier successful nan locker room, however.

Sinner has talked astir really he felt "uncomfortable" astir his peers astatine nan Australian Open.

"It was a spot for illustration immoderate players looked astatine maine otherwise and I didn't for illustration it astatine all," he told Italian broadcaster RAI.

Three-time awesome champion Stan Wawrinka was among galore players who criticised nan measurement Sinner's lawsuit was handled, while plentifulness of others felt nan timing of his prohibition was convenient.

British number 1 Draper was 1 of a fewer players who did publically backmost Sinner, reiterating his support successful precocious April and saying nan Italian "doesn't merit immoderate hate".

While Sinner is not allowed to play competitively until Monday, he has been capable to play immoderate tennis.

From nan commencement of nan prohibition until 13 April, he could practise astatine a backstage training guidelines - arsenic agelong arsenic he did not travel into interaction pinch different master players.

Speculation surfaced successful March he had been hitting pinch Dominic Thiem - nan precocious retired 2020 US Open champion - aft nan brace were pictured having meal together successful Monte Carlo.

However, Thiem laughed disconnected nan suggestion.

"I deliberation for him and his level, I would not beryllium [good] enough," Thiem told BBC Sport.

Under Wada rules, Sinner could commencement 'official training activity' from 13 April.

Sinner invited Draper - a friend he has played doubles pinch connected nan ATP Tour - to Monte Carlo for respective days of believe sessions connected nan clay.

Asked astir Sinner's level, Draper told BBC Sport: "He's very consistent, he's playing great.

"Maybe a small rusty successful immoderate areas, but pinch clip he's improving each day. The much points we played, nan much he was getting better.

"It was awesome to beryllium astir him for a fewer days and get immoderate bully sparring."

Sinner was surrounded by his trusted squad successful Monaco - coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill, positive fittingness trainer Marco Panichi, physio Ulises Badio and osteopath Andrea Cipolla.

Draper said nan travel was strictly business.

"I didn't speak to him excessively overmuch to beryllium honest," added nan 23-year-old world number six, who mislaid to Sinner successful past year's US Open semi-finals.

"On nan court, Jannik is ever very master – he's number 1 for a reason.

"He seemed successful bully spirits, had a awesome squad astir him and awesome group who person supported him done a reliable time."

Once Draper moved connected to nan Madrid Open, Sinner enlisted nan thief of Norwegian teen Nicolai Budkov Kjaer successful believe sessions.

Off nan court, Sinner has spent clip pinch his family backmost successful Italy and has pursued his different interests extracurricular tennis.

Shortly aft nan announcement of his ban, he was pictured sitting alongside Vogue editor Anna Wintour astatine Milan Fashion Week.

According to a root adjacent to Sinner, nan subordinate has been enjoying skiing, biking and go-karting betwixt tennis sessions successful caller weeks.

"I deliberation he is emotion refreshed – tennis is very relentless. I'm judge he will travel backmost to Rome and nan remainder of nan twelvemonth successful good form," said Draper.