Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner has declared he is returning to the Australian Open "stronger" and more mature, a year after winning the title while under the shadow of an impending doping suspension.
A Champion Under a Cloud
The Italian star, now 24, defeated Alexander Zverev in straight sets to claim his second Australian Open crown in January 2025. That victory came just a couple of weeks before he reached a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over a three-month ban.
Sinner had twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024. However, he was cleared of intentional wrongdoing by both the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and an independent tribunal, after proving he was accidentally contaminated by a physiotherapist.
Finding Strength in Adversity
Reflecting on that turbulent period, Sinner admitted the 2025 tournament was a profound challenge. "Last year was definitely a much more difficult situation," he said. "Because in this moment last year I didn't know exactly what's going to happen. I tried still to enjoy it when you go out on the court, but you still have it in your head. It was difficult."
He emphasised the personal toll, stating the uncertainty was hard for his family as well. Sinner credited his inner circle for their support. "I surrounded myself with really, really good people," he said. "I'm very happy with the people I have. So that for me is the most important."
A Mature Champion's Perspective
The experience, Sinner insists, fundamentally changed him. "After that, I think everything happens for a reason," he explained. "It got me even stronger as a person. The person I've become, it's much more mature in a way because I see things when they're not going in the right direction different ways."
He returned from his ban in time for the French Open, reaching the final at Roland Garros, before going on to win Wimbledon by defeating his great rival Carlos Alcaraz. That marked the fourth major title of his career.
Now, Sinner is attempting a feat only previously achieved by Novak Djokovic: winning three consecutive Australian Open men's singles titles. His rival Alcaraz, meanwhile, is aiming for his first Melbourne trophy. A win for the 22-year-old Spaniard would make him the youngest man in history to complete a career Grand Slam.
Despite the high stakes, Sinner approaches his sport with a new philosophy. "I live the sport also in a very different way now, which is relaxed, but I give everything I have," he concluded. "It's a balance of everything. I'm very happy."
