Do you remember the last time Jannik Sinner stunned the crowd with his incredible performance? Well, it wasn’t that long back anyway.  It was only in January that the Italian successfully defended his Australian Open title, defeating Alexander Zverev in the final with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-6(7-4), 6-3. But only a couple of weeks later, his career hit a roadblock as WADA imposed a three-month ban on him for the his failed dope tests at the Indian Wells in March 2024. As the ban was announced, Sinner was forced to withdraw from the Qatar Open. Now, the question on everyone’s mind is: what are the World No.1’s comeback plans?

For the unversed, Sinner’s 2024 was marked by a doping controversy that threatened to overshadow his incredible tennis prowess. During the Indian Wells tournament, he tested positive for the banned substance Clostebol not once, but twice. Sinner maintained that the substance entered his system unintentionally through massages from his physiotherapist, who had been using a spray containing Clostebol to treat his own wound and ended up giving him a massage without gloves. Initially, the ITIA cleared him on ground of “no fault or negligence,” but in September 2024 WADA appealed, arguing that Sinner bore some responsibility for his team’s actions.

Eventually, the Italian agreed to a three-month ban, acknowledging partial responsibility for the errors made by his team. This ban will keep him off the court till May 4, but he’s set to return with a bang. Sinner will resume training on April 13, giving him ample time to prepare for his comeback. Additionally, the Hamburg Open announced his official entry to the event on X! The ATP 500 event will run from May 17–24.

But before that, Sinner’s first event back will be the Italian Open, followed by the Hamburg Open, marking his first appearance at the latter. It’s a strategic move to ensure he’s at his best for the French Open, which starts just a day after the Hamburg Open concludes. Will Sinner keep up his winning streak from the 2025 Australian Open in these events as well?

Well, Jannik, who is familiar with German courts after winning his first grass title at Halle, now aims to succeed on clay at the Hamburg Open. The ban cost Sinner 1,600 ranking points, since he would not be competing at Indian Wells, the Miami Open, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, and the Madrid Open. But now, he still leads the ATP rankings with 10,330 points. So the Hamburg Open, worth 500 points, is crucial for regaining momentum.

Looks like Sinner is aiming to make a strong comeback and prove his mettle once again. Additionally, he’s also returning with a new management team behind him, signaling a fresh start both on and off the court.

Jannik Sinner announces a major change in his team following doping controversy

On March 17, Jannik Sinner announced on X that after five years with StarWing Sports, he was parting ways with his long-time agent, Lawrence Frankopan, to join AVIMA Sports & Business Management, led by Alex Vittur. Frankopan expressed his gratitude, saying, “Given my long-term commitments to StarWing Sports I was unable to accept their offer to work exclusively for AVIMA, but I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work for a talent like Jannik and proud of what we achieved together.” This change marks a new chapter for Sinner, who rose to fame under StarWing’s guidance.

The World No. 1 showed heartfelt appreciation for Frankopan and his team, stating, “Lawrence Frankopan and his team have supported me so much and that will forever remain with me. I’d like to thank them for their dedication throughout the years.”

Under StarWing, Sinner became a brand sensation, partnering with giants like Gucci and Rolex. Now, AVIMA promises to nurture his success both on and off the court. Alex Vittur, a former ATP player, has been instrumental in Sinner’s career since facilitating his move to Riccardo Piatti’s academy at age 14. Now his new partners will elevate his career by providing a dedicated support system for both business opportunities and well-being.

With his new management team in place, Sinner is setting the stage for a dramatic return. Will he continue his reign as the World No.1 on his return? Share your thoughts in the comments below!