he biggest news in tennis today? World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has agreed to a plea bargain with WADA, accepting a three-month suspension that will keep him off the ATP Tour until May 4.
The Australian Open champion had been scheduled for a hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne on April 16-17, but in an effort to avoid further legal battles and uncertainty, both parties reached an agreement.
Which Tournaments Will Sinner Miss?
Tournaments affected by Sinner’s suspension:
Doha ATP 500 Indian Wells Masters 1000 Miami Open Monte Carlo Masters 1000 Munich ATP 250 Madrid Open (Mutua Madrid Masters 1000)
When will Sinner return?
- Rome Masters 1000 (May 7-17)
- French Open (May 25 – June 8)
Despite missing several major tournaments, Sinner will remain in the ATP Top 3 when he returns and will be eligible to play at Roland Garros.
Backlash & Tennis Stars Weigh In
The plea bargain deal has sparked major reactions across the tennis world, with divided opinions on whether justice was truly served.
Stan Wawrinka (Swiss Grand Slam Champion):
“I don’t believe in a clean sport anymore.”
- Wawrinka’s blunt reaction suggests he sees the decision as a loophole rather than justice.
Feliciano Lopez (Former Spanish Star & Tournament Director):
“I do, Stan. It’s very clear he hasn’t done anything to enhance his performance. He’s taking full responsibility for others’ mistakes, and three months of suspension is fair. Would a longer suspension make the sport cleaner? I don’t think so.”
- Lopez defended Sinner, arguing that the suspension was not performance-enhancing-related and that punishing him further wouldn’t have benefitted tennis.
ATP Rankings: Will Sinner Lose His No. 1 Spot?
Sinner’s points loss during suspension:
-500 points (Rotterdam title already lost) -1000 points (Miami Open title defense lost) -100 points (Monte Carlo) -100 points (Madrid)
Projected ATP Rankings After Suspension (May 4):
Jannik Sinner – 9,410 points
Alexander Zverev – 8,135 points (needs 2,500+ points to overtake Sinner)
Carlos Alcaraz – 7,960 points
Unless Zverev or Alcaraz win multiple Masters 1000 events, Sinner should return as World No. 1 at the Rome Masters.
What’s Next for Sinner?
First Practice Allowed: April 13 First Match Back: Rome Masters 1000 (May 7-17) Next Grand Slam: French Open (May 25 – June 8)
Despite the controversy, Sinner’s focus is now on a strong clay-court return as he prepares for his first title challenge at Roland Garros.
Will this suspension derail Sinner’s 2025 season, or will he come back stronger than ever? 
