When Jannik Sinner won his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, no one could have predicted he would be sidelined for over 100 days. Just three weeks after his victory, Sinner faced a three-month suspension for failing two doping tests in March 2024, despite being cleared by an independent panel after testing positive for clostebol, a banned substance. The 23-year-old Italian was held accountable for the negligence of his entourage, leading to the suspension, which is set to end on Sunday night.
Sinner's absence from the ATP Tour, however, has not cost him the top spot in the world rankings. With a commanding 3,695-point lead over second-ranked Alexander Zverev, whom he defeated in the Australian Open final, Sinner's position seemed safe despite missing several tournaments. While there were opportunities for Zverev or Carlos Alcaraz to overtake him during his suspension, the gap between them remained significant enough for Sinner to retain his place as the world number one.
As Sinner prepares for his comeback at the Italian Open, his remarkable consistency and the large points gap from his Australian Open triumph have ensured he remains the top-ranked player. The Italian's return to the court in Rome signals the end of his suspension and marks the next chapter in his career, with fans eager to see how he will perform after such a lengthy break.
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