Jimmy Connor opens up on Jannik Sinner's three-month doping ban, claims the Italian's absence is "not good for the game"

Former World No.1 Jimmy Connors has broken his silence on the Jannik Sinner doping situation, stating the game of tennis could suffer in the Italian's absence.

Sinner tested positive for banned substances at last year's Indian Wells event, for which he was forced to lose the ranking points and prize money from the tournament. However, the World No.1 was eventually handed a three-month suspension, which will run from February through May, 2025.

In the latest episode of his Advantage Connors podcast, the retired American tennis star shared his opinion on how Sinner's suspension affected the tennis community.

"Well, all I know is Tennis is better with Sinner in it. It's a lot better with him in it," said Connors. "And for him to be away from the game and not playing at a top level and not creating the interest that he does, if he does, you know, with whoever his fans are or whatever, is not good for the game. But, you know, it's a shame that, you know, that that's kind of crept into the game right now.
"And it's taken away from a guy who over the past 18 months has had an unbelievable run, a great stretch of wins and exciting tennis and great for his career and even great for the game. And to have that tainted a little bit like that, you know, and I'm going to go back and say it, I'm old school. I'm all for doing it all and being as good as you can be on what you are and who you are.

"And if that's not good enough, then be as good as you can be, whatever that is. But, you know, I don't think tennis needs that. Tennis needs something to take it to another level up and push it forward for the future generations and the young kids coming in that, you know, that look up to these kids, not to knock it down a peg."

Sinner will be reinstated in time for Roland Garros and Wimbledon later this summer.