Jannik Sinner reveals mood shift in doping ban reaction following Wimbledon first-round win - 'In the beginning it was different'

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World No. 1 Jannik Sinner made a positive start at Wimbledon as he beat fellow Italian Luca Nardi in straight sets. Sinner was asked afterwards about the reaction to his doping ban, saying at the start "people saw me in different ways". He also reflected on the "positive things" that came out of his epic five-set French Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.

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Jannik Sinner says he was viewed in "different ways" following his return from a doping ban, but that he now has "good relationships" with most players on tour.

World No. 1 Sinner was banned for three months earlier this year following two positive doping tests in 2024.

The 23-year-old has maintained his innocence, but the length of the suspension caused a stir in the tennis world, with some players publicly speaking out in criticism of supposed double standards.

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Sinner did not miss any Grand Slam events during the ban and is now playing at Wimbledon, looking to win the fourth major title of his career.

"I think people kind of have forgotten already a little bit what happened," he said about the reaction to the ban following his first-round win over Luca Nardi at SW19.

"Of course, there are still things, but so many things, new notifications, whatever, coming. That's the good and the bad of social [media] that something happens and people don't know anymore what happened yesterday. In the other way, I have good relationships with more or less all [of the] players like I had before.

"Of course, in the beginning it was a bit different. People saw me in different ways. But I think they all saw that I'm a very clean player. I was never with intention to do anything bad. I always try to be the best I can, having a good team around me. That's exactly what I try to do in the future, no?

"The things I can control, I will control, as I always say, also on the court and off the court. It was an incident, yes, it happened. But yeah, the result also says that I haven't done anything on purpose."

Since returning to the tour, Sinner has been involved in one of the greatest matches of all time against Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final.

Sinner admitted to having "sleepless" nights following the match after he missed three championship points and blew a two-set lead to lose in five sets.

But he says now: "For sure last month was not easy at times. But in the other way, it was beautiful, you know? So many things happened. Never thought that I would play a final of a Grand Slam like this.

"Yeah, so all positive things, to be honest. Now I'm here. I'm here to show also myself that I'm capable to play tennis also on grass hopefully. I showed it last year. I felt like I have improved a lot on this surface. So let's see what I can do this year.

"The preparation has gone really well. So I feel good mentally and physically. I feel like at times I can play some good tennis, so let's see what's coming."

Sinner impressed on serve against fellow Italian Nardi, not facing a break point and losing just 12 points on serve.

On his serving display, Sinner said: "I feel quite comfortable at the moment. We worked a lot in this week of preparation with the serve, trying to slow a little bit the rhythm in the beginning.

"Today it felt very good, especially the first serve. He was struggling also to return the second serve today. But again, I'm happy about the progress. Of course, we try to keep working."

Sinner faces Aleksandar Vukic in the second round.

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