Sinner remembers the past season and his suspension: "Everything happens for a reason, it made me stronger as a person"

Carlos Navarro | 16 Jan 2026 | 04.07

Sinner recalled his doping sanction and confessed that it made him stronger. Source: Getty

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The eyes of the tennis world turn once again to the current world number two, Jannik Sinner, who faces the 2026 Australian Open with the great goal of claiming the title for a third consecutive time. Only Novak Djokovic has achieved this in the Open Era, a true feat that the Italian approaches as the clear favorite, on a surface and court that greatly favor his style of play and where he feels very comfortable.

The best part? There are no distractions or off-court issues surrounding him. The San Candido native has had an extensive preseason during which he confessed to fine-tuning a couple of details in his game, focusing on transitioning to the net and his serve. However, the most emotional moment of his pre-match press conference came when he was asked about the circumstances of his arrival in Australia last year when he was unsure if he would be sanctioned by WADA due to his positive test for clostebol. Jannik recalled those moments and spoke about the difficulties both he and his family faced.

Sinner opens up about the moments leading up to his suspension, emphasizing that those three months made him "stronger"

- The 1 Point Slam, a very entertaining experience

"Honestly, it was a great experience. I wasn't a fan at first, but when you're on court and see your teammates play, you have a great time. It's fantastic to see the stadium full before the tournament begins. I'd say it couldn't have had a better ending, especially being the first edition, with an amateur's victory. The prize will be of great benefit to him. It was something different. You don't warm up, wait 40 minutes for your turn, and play only one point, or even don't play if your opponent makes a mistake. It was fun competing in it, but above all, it was fun to watch. I loved the ending; it was fantastic."

- Decision not to play any tournaments before Australia and the experience and lessons an exhibition against Alcaraz can offer

"This exhibition was quite different. I didn't yet have that feeling of playing a match at 100%. You're not nervous before the match; it's different. On the other hand, it's great to be back in front of a crowd, which gives you that feeling of relaxation. In the last two years, I haven't played an official match before the Australian Open simply because I want to have a very good preseason, a longer one. Today, I have a practice match with Felix (Auger-Aliassime), which will help me regain that feeling of competitive matches. The result won't matter; what's important is to have a certain feel for the court. Sometimes playing a prior tournament doesn't help you because you experience situations that are not similar to those in a Slam. We'll see how it goes."

- What have you worked on during your preseason?

"We have worked a lot and focused on the transition game to the net. We have also made a couple of changes to the serve, but these are small details. When you're at a top level, it's the little details that make the difference. I would say the first matches will be about adapting to the pace of matches, and from there you try to add things. It also depends a lot on the conditions; today it's very hot, which makes it very different from playing in the evening session or in the afternoon."

- That search for variety in your game... Is it done with a general outlook or specifically with Alcaraz in mind?

"No, I don't do it thinking about a particular player. If you add something to your game, the goal is to improve as a player, not to beat a guy. The important thing is to feel comfortable in every aspect: that's what we've focused on this preseason. We have worked a lot physically; that's also a very important part because the matches here can be very long and intense. Tennis nowadays is very fast; you have to stay at your peak physically; the season is also very long, so you have to manage your body in the best way. It's also important to always be there mentally."

- Darren Cahill's last year as part of your team

"It's crucial for all of us, for the whole team. He has vast experience. He knows me not only as a player but as a person in a different way. It's very important. He's the type who has everything under control. He's like the father of all of us (smiles). It's fantastic to have him; you feel in a safe place. We'll see what happens this season."

- Remembering how you arrived here last year, not knowing yet if you would receive any sanction for the clostebol case

"Last year, the situation was much more difficult because at this time of year, I still didn't know what was going to happen. I tried to enjoy every moment I stepped on court, but it was something you had in your mind. It was tough. Now it's hard to say because you already know the outcome, but back then, it was not only difficult for me but also for my family. I tried to stick close to the people I love, which sometimes worked and sometimes was disappointing as well.

But that's life, right? Everything happens for a reason. It made me stronger as a person, beyond as a player. The person I have become is much more mature because it realizes when things are not going in the right direction. I surrounded myself with fantastic people; I'm very happy with the people I have around me, and that is the most important thing. Whatever happens on the court and in terms of results is a bonus. Now I live the sport in a very different way, more relaxed, but giving it my all. It's about finding balance. I'm very happy."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner recuerda la pasada temporada y su sanción: "Todo pasa por algo, me hizo más fuerte como persona"