"He can prepare to win the other three Grand Slam tournaments": Jannik Sinner's former coach sees positive impact in suspension
ATP
Former Jannik Sinner coach, Riccardo Piatti, said he was "not surprised" by the suspension his former player received amid the doping controversy but believes Sinner can use it to his advantage and win a Grand Slam upon his return.
Sinner’s consistency has been evident over the past year and a half, making him the absolute dominant force on the ATP Tour. However, if there's any task left for Sinner, it’s maintaining his level on clay and grass courts and securing the Grand Slam titles he is still missing at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Few weeks ago, Sinner accepted a three-month suspension in agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), avoiding a trial that could have kept him off the courts for a period of one to two years if he had been found guilty.
Since news broke of Sinner’s positive test for Clostebol, criticism has been constant, with Nick Kyrgios leading those who haven't missed an opportunity to criticize the three-time Grand Slam champion.
According to Piatti, he wasn’t surprised by the lack of support Sinner received after the suspension became public. Several stars have questioned the reliability of the process, including Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, and Daniil Medvedev.
"I know a lot of players. They're never all together, that's impossible. If you ask me if I'm surprised, the answer is no," said Piatti. "I'm not surprised. I repeat, because I know the players. If it had happened to them, they would have said it was a disaster. But if it happened to someone else, it's not a disaster. That's how their mentality works. But I repeat, it's an individual sport, so getting them all together is difficult."
The coach believes Sinner can make the best of the suspension and use the time to prepare for upcoming Grand Slam tournaments. Over these three months, Sinner will miss four Masters 1000 events: Indian Wells, Miami Open, Monte-Carlo Masters, and Madrid Open, although he is almost certain to return at the top of the ranking for the Italian Open.
Jannik Sinner played his last tournament at 2025 Australian Open, winning his third major title.
"I haven't been in contact with him for a long time, but I think in his mind he knows what he has to do. He knows he needs to focus on what he needs to do and not on what others are saying," continued Piatti.
"Also, with the current calendar, where recovery has become more complicated, especially after the Australian Open, it makes me think that this situation for Sinner is actually very good for him. Now he can prepare to win the other three Grand Slam tournaments."
"I remember another important moment in his career when he won the Next Gen Finals. A year later, his physical level wasn’t ready. Then came Covid, but at the same time, it suddenly gave Jannik the chance to work very hard. He was in Monte Carlo, working on his physical condition three times a day and also playing tennis every day. And then, at the end of the year, he reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros."
"If he hadn’t had that training period, it would have been harder because, of course, he would have wanted to compete, and of course, you have to put it into practice, but when you’re competing all the time, you can’t build. So that part of his career was very important, and now I think this moment is becoming very important to open a new era for him."
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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