Jon Wertheim on what he ‘recognised’ after interviewing Jannik Sinner ahead of the Rome Masters
Jon Wertheim has given his thoughts on Jannik Sinner’s mindset, heading into the Rome Masters, having interviewed him before his return to the professional tour.
The Italian has been suspended for three months after failing two doping tests in March 2024, but will make his comeback as the top seed at the final Masters 1000 before the French Open.
Wertheim, whilst speaking on the Served with Andy Roddick Podcast, revealed that he spoke to Sinner during the Monte-Carlo Masters, which the world No 1 was forced to sit out.
“I spent the day with him in Monte Carlo last week and this will be an interview which will run on TNT during the Roland Garros coverage,” he said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
“It was a few days before he was leaving for Rome. I have got to say, my big takeaway is that he totally grasps what he’s about to confront. He has been off for 90 days now and serving this penalty. He described it as the lesser of two evils.
“He does not think he did anything wrong but he realised that essentially this was a plea bargain and it could have been worse.
“I think he realises that he is going to get questions about this. We sat down and there was nothing off the table, there was none of this, don’t ask about this suspension.
“It was a good, solid conversation with no conditions or stipulations put on it and I think he recognises what he is confronting, not just in terms of what it’s going to be like to rejoin the tour, but I think that he understands big picture this is something he’s going to have to answer for.
“He essentially maintains his innocence and I think he recognises there will be people that support him and there will be people that no matter what he says and does, this that he somehow skated and there will be other people still trying to figure out how they feel.
“It’s an uncomfortable situation. The guy has won three of the last five majors and won the previous major and then he serves a 90-day doping suspension and goes to the next major as the number one seed.”
Latest ATP News
Jannik Sinner’s coach hits out at those claiming three-month ban could be an ‘advantage’
Dan Evans lambasts Jannik Sinner’s Rome return: ‘Pretty convenient’
Speaking during his pre-tournament press conference, the three-time Grand Slam champion divulged how it felt to be ineligible to play professional tournaments.
“The hardest moment of the suspension was at the beginning,” said Sinner.
“I couldn’t attend any sporting event in real life. I don’t know how many people know this but I couldn’t go to the stadium to watch a football match or follow a cycling race of my friends. Or in motorsport.
“That for me was the toughest part. But all things considered, I tried to make the best of it. I was very glad also to spend time with my family.”
“I have to say I have low expectations for this tournament. I’ve been sitting out for so long and I don’t have any feedback on how I’m going to play.
“The goal will be Paris. I’m not here to beat anyone but to try to get through the first round and then we’ll see what can happen. It’s difficult for me to start a new tournament and get back to the rhythm.
“But we’re very calm, we’re physically and mentally well, we’re rested, which will pay off at the end of the season too.”
Sinner will face either Mariano Navone or Federico Cina in the second-round of the Rome Masters.
