Tennis has a new superstar. Maybe it is hard to accept, but the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic is over. Jannik Sinner is the name on everyone's lips, and the young Italian has more than a bright future. He has also achieved plenty with only 23 years of age. Yet, he already has a massive stain on his resume. Sinner is a sinner in every sense of that world.
It's been a while since a high profile tennis player such as himself has been banned from the game. In recent memory, the names such as Iga Swiatek, Dan Evans, Tara Moore, and Simona Halep have all been tested positive for different banned substances. Yet, none of them had a year such Sinner had at the moment of his ban, making the matters worse.
Sinner is the current No1 in the world of tennis. No Italian prior to him managed this feat. So far, he has amassed 19 single titles on the ATP tour. In addition to his two Davis Cup crowns he also has three Grand Slams to his name in two Australian Open's, and an US Open. Amazing career that was on the rise before it was concluded that he tested positive twice for a banned substance.
The Doping Controversy
The biggest story in tennis started to unravel at the 2024 US Open, when International Tennis Integrity Agency announced that the Italian superstar tested positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid. The test he failed was earlier in the year in March, making his appearance at the US Open stained. Yet, during that tournament he was a bookmakers favourite, and outlets such as Stake had him as a favourite to win, despite the doping controversies.
While his on court performance was top notch, the off-court issues started to take toll on the young tennis player. Jannik Sinner pleaded not-guilty, and in his appeal to International Tennis Integrity Agency and World Anti-Doping Agency he stated that the contamination with clostebol came through contact with a healing spray that was recommended to him by his physio Umberto Ferrara, and applied by his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi who used it on Sinner's hands and feet. Both men are no longer employed by Sinner.
While at the beginning of the proceedings WADA and ITIA asked for Sinner's ban to be between one and two years, the final sentence was quite shorter. Whatever appeal Sinner has made, it was accepted by both bodies of tennis anti-doping authorities through an agreement between parties involved. What Jannik received was a three month ban, slotted in between all the biggest tournaments between February and May. With this type of agreement, Sinner was given a chance for redemption, as he managed to win the Australian Open earlier in the year, and he will participate, barring an injury, at French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. The cherry on the top of his ban is the fact that his return to Tennis was at the Italian Open in Rome.
While in a way it appears that Sinner was done a favour, the situation on the ground is rather different. So far, he's missed plenty of tournaments starting with ATP in Doha, Qatar. Also, he's been missing from the prestigious Sunshine Double ATP Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami. As if that was not enough, Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open were also off the books for Jannik. Even if he wanted to enter the 500-level Bavarian Open in Munich he couldn't.
Missing these tournaments is one thing, but losing points on the way is another. Jannik had 1,000 points from Miami, 400 from Monte Carlo, and 200 from Madrid to defend. There was also a missed opportunity to defend the 500 from Rotterdam, Netherlands, but the decision to miss out on those was not tied to the doping scandal but was a personal decision by the Italian. When it's all said and done the No1 tennis player in the world dropped from 11,830 to 9,730 points.
This drop in points is massive by any stretch of imagination, yet it hasn't changed the ATP landscape by a bit. At the end of the day, Jannik has had a massive 2024 season. Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev failed to do their homework. Before the Italian Open, Zverev was 1,645 points behind Sinner and it was his job to defend the title in Italy. We'll reach the events of that tournament later on, but before we get there, it is good to talk a bit about Sinner's winner mentality.
After missing three months of competitive tennis, any player would feel uneasy to get back on the court. That was not the case for Jannik Sinner. For Sinner, it was not a cause for fear, but rather a chance to test his level before the second Grand Slam of the year. Furthermore, Jannik was not too eager to accept the case resolution agreement from WADA that was put in front of him. Knowing as a fact that there was not any wrongdoing on his behalf, a ban was a hard pill to swallow. Because of fear that CAS hearing could possibly result in an even harsher punishment, he accepted the three-month ban, bowed his head down, and started grinding day in and day out during those three months. He was even prepared to lose his ranking if that was a part of the agreement, just to get to the court as quickly as possible.
The Comeback Trail: Italian Open Dominance
As we said, earlier on, the world's No1 has returned, and he is here to dominate. After the Italian Open in Rome, one thing is more than evident - Jannik Sinner is stronger than ever. If you've had some tennis bets on your mind for the upcoming tournaments, you shouldn't look any further than betting on Sinner annihilating his opponents. The tournament in Rome should have been a testing ground for Sinner to see if his arsenal is still functioning. Instead, it was a full blown nuclear weapon test, as Jannik Sinner went ballistic on his opponents.
Sinner started the competition in 1/32 Finals where his opponent was the 99th ranked tennis player on the ATP rankings Mariano Navone. From the get-go it was evident that Jannik Sinner was a bit rusty, but nonetheless he managed to win against the Argentinean player 2:0, (6:3, 6:4). Considering that this was his first game after a long break, many believed that with a few more games, Sinner would return to his old self just in time for the French Open.
During the 1/16 Finals, Sinner faced off against the Dutchman, Jesper De Jong, who proved to be an easier obstacle than Navone. It was 2:0 (6:4, 6:2) once again, showing that Sinner's absence hasn't messed up his form and that he is more than prepared to continue where he left off. For both fans and pundits at this moment it was evident that the No1 will play for his good name, and to retain his leading position in the ATP rankings. Also, it became clear that Sinner is not viewing this tournament as a warm up for the rest of the season, but as a chance to make a statement.
In 1/6 Finals Francisco Cerundolo, the situation got a bit more serious, but only during the first set. Cerundolo, who is the 18th ranked player in the ATP, proved to be a tough nut to crack. While Sinner won 2:0 once again, it was an even battle during the first set that even went to tie-break (7:6,7:2), while in the second set it was 6:3 for Sinner as he managed to keep the duel less intriguing for the neutrals.
The quarter final match against Casper Ruud really showed us what Jannik Sinner is capable of. It was a clear mismatch between two players that are not all that different in style. Yet, the Italian prevailed dominantly (6:0,6:1). It was funny seeing the Norwegian athlete, who is ranked as 7th on the ATP ranking, celebrating his only gem as if he won the match. On that day, Jannik was simply unbeatable.
The only true test during the tournament came in the semi-final when Jannik faced American player, Tommy Paul. When the 12th ranked ATP player took a set from Sinner, 1:6, many believed that Sinner reached the end of his comeback at the first tournament after his three month ban. What followed was anything but that. Sinner took back the reins, took over control over the match, and wrapped it up in fashion, 6:0. 6:3.
A fairy tale comeback by the Italian that is still not over. But, we need to remain realistic, as the hardest battle at the Italian Open still lies ahead of Jannik Sinner. Across the No1 in the final of the Italian Open in Rome will be Carlos Alcaraz, the No3 on the ATP rankings, and a clay expert as so many Spaniards before him. While Alcaraz is coming into the final fresh of winning the Monte Carlo, the favourite in this duel is the local boy, Jannik Sinner who according to sports betting outlets holds advantage with 1.65 odds, while a bet on Alcaraz pays with 2.24 odds.
With both men giving clear signals both on and off the court that the future is in safe hands with either, it could be possible that we're witnessing a start of another great rivalry. Alcaraz is entering this duel fresh after wins against Lorenzo Mussetti, Draper, Khachanov, Djere, and Lajovic. While the bookies have Sinner as the favourite, Spaniard is not one to be underestimated. What is also important is that Carlos has already laid his hands on this tournament, while this would be the first win for Sinner at his home soil.
Eyes on the Prize: Roland Garros
Italian Open and other clay tournaments during this part of the year, are serving as a prelude to the French Open. While prestigious in their own right, the real prize that both Sinner and Alcaraz are eying is the Roland Garros tournament. As we're used to, the favourite for this tournament and odds for his win open at +120.
The reborn Jannik Sinner is right behind him with +250 odds, and better chances than the bookies give him. It would appear that after a three month layoff, Sinner didn't get rusty. Instead, he got the much needed rest, and now looks better than ever. If we were you, a simple bet on Sinner winning both the Italian Open and French Open too. Now, that's a good parlay.
The third favourite to go far is a bit forgotten Novak Djokovic. The days of Serbian domination on the tour are almost over, and seeing Djokovic winning another major tournament would be a true surprise in every sense of that word. His odds set at +900 signify this, and yet, putting him as the third name to win this tournament shows that the Serb should never be underestimated. The rest of the lads go in following order: Zverev at +900, Ruud at +1100, Stefanos Tsitsipas +1400, Holger Rune +1800, Daniil Medvedev +4000, Andrey Rublev +5000, and Alex de Minaur +4000. While there's still two weeks to go to the French Open, we doubt that these odds are going to change significantly. The only ones that could shift are the ones on Alcaraz and Sinner, all depending on the outcome of the Italian Open final in Rome, which is scheduled to take place on May 18th, 2025.
Before we reach the French open, Jannik Sinner will have a chance to wrap up his redemption arc in the best way possible. After a three month doping ban, Sinner has reached the final of the Italian Open in Rome, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz for his first title since the Australian Open. Whether he will have strength to win it remains to be seen, but in our eyes he has done enough to redeem himself, so even if he fails we're sure plenty of success awaits ahead.
