Picture this: you’re Jannik Sinner. Fresh off an Australian Open win, the world is at your feet. Then, a knock on the door, a quiet room, and suddenly, your season is on hold. Ninety days. That’s the price he paid, a ban handed down by WADA. Even legends like Martina Navratilova are shaking their heads, saying it makes no sense: “We are trying to keep out dopers… and Jannik Sinner is not that… this three-month suspension doesn’t help anyone.” But then, there’s the other side, the voice of a former German star, Andrea Petkovic, saying this was necessary. Necessary? For a player who settled privately, who won’t even have his day in court at CAS?

During a February 26th podcast with Boris Becker, Petkovic shared her views on the Sinner verdict. Does she think the ban was worth implementing? “If they let Jannik Sinner off the hook innocently, as it stands now, they will have the problem that in the future, any player who ever tests positive can say: ‘It wasn’t me. My coach gave me something. It wasn’t me. My doctor gave me something. It wasn’t me. My physio gave me something,” Petkovic began. Such a situation would have led to complications. How?

It’s because then “everyone could always shift the blame onto their entourage. But from the very beginning, and this is made very clear in their statement, they have said that they do not believe Jannik Sinner doped. They do not believe that Jannik Sinner had performance-enhancing substances in his system. I think it’s very important to understand what WADA has actually appealed against. It wasn’t that, but rather the “No Fault, No Negligence” ruling.”

“So, was he at fault?”

She tried to convey the message that “As the CEO of his team, he was the one who hired team. I think it’s very important that we clarify this once again.” That’s the reason why WADA’s statement underlined that “an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence,” while justifying the 3-month suspension.

Well, as for Jannik Sinner, it appears the ban is acting as a blessing in disguise.

Jannik Sinner allowed to train with his team ahead of his return

With the ban in effect from February 9 to May 4, Sinner will miss out on 1,600 ranking points. He won’t appear at the Qatar Open, BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, and Madrid Open. However, he will still have enough points to stay at the top spot upon his return. And that’s one of the good news!

Last week, it was confirmed that he can take private sessions with his team. And he can do that “as long as he does not do so in a place connected to a national association, the ATP, the ITF, the WTA, the Grand Slams or an event covered by our regulations.” Well, 90 days is a lot of time to improve his technique even further while staying away from the competitive scene. That’s what his athletic trainer is planning to do.

During an interaction with Sky Sports, dated February 26, Marco Panichi shared his honest thoughts on the entire ban situation. He said, “Having so much time allows us to deeply address characteristics and conditions we want to improve. Knowing we can dedicate significant time to certain aspects is a major boost”

In the middle of a busy schedule, it’s hard to concentrate on improving different aspects of one’s performance. But now, it won’t be an issue for the Fox, according to Panichi. “This time allows us to refine preparation, which is a significant motivational boost.”

When he comes back, the Fox can enter his home event in Italy, starting from May 7. He will also be eligible to participate in the next Major of this season, the French Open. This way, he will get to continue his quest for a second straight slam after lifting the AO trophy last month. Do you think he will make a dominating return once the suspension concludes? Let us know in the comments below.