Brad Gilbert explains why Jannik Sinner needs to be ‘careful’ during return to tennis
Brad Gilbert has called Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension ‘a joke’ and warned that the Italian will have to be ‘careful’ during his return to tennis.
The world No 1 is due to return to professional tennis at the Rome Masters after a three-month suspension for failing two doping tests in March 2024.
Sinner’s last match was the final of the 2025 Australian Open, where he defeated Alexander Zverev to lift the third Grand Slam of his career.
Gilbert, a former coach of Coco Gauff and Andre Agassi, aired his views on the Italian’s suspension and his much-anticipated return to tennis whilst speaking on the Tennis Channel.
“If you are out through injury it’s probably easier [than being suspended],” stated Gilbert.
“This is a much more difficult scenario to come back from because mentally, how do you keep practicing for this?”
“I think the whole goal is to get matches at Rome, Hamburg and then be ready for Paris and Wimbledon.
“Those are the two most important. It’s not about what he does in Rome, but it’s how he peaks physically so that he is ready to play best of five in Paris. I think that is the most important thing.”
12 months ago, Sinner was forced to withdraw from his quarter-final match at the Madrid Masters – due to hip pain – before pulling out from the Rome event just a week later.
The importance of injury prevention was something which was emphasised by the esteemed coach.
“They have to be careful when they come back that they don’t go too hard, you don’t want to get hurt,” remarked Gilbert.
“But I expect by Paris that he is going to be ready and he will be one of the top three favourites to win that tournament.
“On the ban I thought that whole thing was a joke. Any time any player has one billionth of something that is nothing and it should be just a warning like missing a drug test.”
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The world No 1, himself, also made clear that his main goal is the French Open, downplaying expectations for the Rome event.
“It feels like the first day when you go [back to] school again,” joked Sinner, during his pre-tournament press conference.
“You never know exactly what to expect.
“I’m very happy though to be here, and in Rome. It’s a very special place, for an Italian to make a comeback here, it’s going to be very special.
“And everything together, I’m just happy. Not many expectations at all, I’m just trying to get back on court and having a good feel with what’s happening on the court and with the crowd all together, so yeah let’s see.
“It’s a lot of attention [on me], a lot of people, but in my mind I know how much these people give me, they supported me throughout this whole process, especially in these last three months. I’m very happy.”
