Jannik Sinner ended 2025 on a high, completing a remarkable hat-trick of titles in Vienna, Paris, and the ATP Finals in Turin, where he played in front of passionate home support.
The world No. 2 can also look back on a stellar season that included retaining the Australian Open, winning his first Wimbledon title, and ending Carlos Alcaraz’s reign on Centre Court in a dramatic final.
However, his year was also overshadowed by a three-month suspension following two failed doping tests at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters.
How the Ban Came About
Sinner was initially cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) later reopened the case.
That decision forced the Italian into a plea agreement, resulting in a three-month ban from February to May, strategically placed between Grand Slam tournaments.
Djokovic Weighs In on the Controversy
The handling of Sinner’s case sparked widespread debate, with Novak Djokovic among those questioning whether the Italian received preferential treatment due to his elite status.
“That cloud will follow him just as the cloud of Covid will follow me,” Djokovic said, referencing his own vaccine controversy.
Djokovic admitted he was shocked by the situation, insisting he did not believe Sinner doped intentionally, but criticised what he described as a lack of transparency, inconsistencies, and the timing of the ban.
“When you see people with similar cases banned for years and he’s banned for three months, it’s not right,” Djokovic added.
The Tournaments Sinner Missed
Sinner’s suspension ruled him out of several key ATP Masters 1000 events, costing him both opportunity and income:
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Indian Wells Masters – potential prize of $1,201,125
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Miami Open – winner’s prize of $1,124,380
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Monte-Carlo Masters – €946,610 claimed by Alcaraz
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Toronto Masters – missed later in the season
Bonus Pool Blow
Missing those Masters events had further consequences. ATP rules require players to compete in all marquee events to qualify for the ATP Bonus Pool.
As a result, Sinner missed out on a payment estimated at around $2 million, significantly increasing the overall financial impact of his ban.
Total Financial Impact
Despite a hugely successful year financially — earning $19,114,396 in official prize money and an additional $6.5 million from the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia — the suspension still carried a heavy cost.
In total, including lost prize money and the Bonus Pool payment, Sinner’s ban is estimated to have cost him around $5 million.
A Missed Chance at Year-End No. 1
Perhaps the most significant sporting consequence was the loss of momentum in the ATP rankings.
Sinner’s three-month absence opened the door for Carlos Alcaraz to secure the year-end world No. 1 ranking, a title the Italian may have challenged for had he remained active.
Reputation Damage Still Lingers
While the financial hit was substantial, the reputational stain from the doping case may prove even more damaging in the long run — a cloud that, as Djokovic suggested, could follow Sinner throughout his career.
