World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is set to compete at the ATP tournament in Hamburg from May 18-24, marking a change to his schedule following a three-month doping ban. This addition aims to provide him with valuable match practice as he gears up for the French Open. The tournament organizers officially confirmed Sinner’s participation on Tuesday, announcing that he will be competing at the 2025 Hamburg Open for the first time in his career.
Sinner’s Return to the Court: Hamburg Open Added to Schedule
Jannik Sinner has adjusted his competition calendar to include the Hamburg European Open, an ATP 500 event scheduled from May 18-24. This decision underscores his commitment to regaining match fitness after serving a three-month suspension. Sinner’s ban concludes on May 4, paving the way for his return to professional tennis.
Doping Ban Details
Sinner’s three-month ban stemmed from testing positive for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024. He accepted the ban in February 2025, acknowledging “partial responsibility” for team errors that led to the positive tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) initially sought a longer suspension but later reached an agreement with Sinner’s legal team, resulting in a reduced ban from February 9 to May 4.
Italian Open as Initial Comeback
Before heading to Hamburg, Sinner is slated to make his comeback on home soil at the Italian Open in Rome, scheduled from May 7-18. This Masters 1000 event will be his first tournament after the suspension, offering him a chance to compete in front of his home crowd.
Hamburg Open: A Strategic Choice for French Open Preparation
The Hamburg Open will be Sinner’s second tournament following his return. This clay-court event will provide him with crucial match practice ahead of the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, which begins on May 25.
Significance of Hamburg Open
The Hamburg Open marks a historic first for Sinner, as he will be competing in the tournament for the first time in his career. As the world No. 1, his participation is a major boost for the event. Tournament director Enric Molina Mur emphasized Sinner’s significance, stating that his presence is a “significant boost” and a “historic moment” for the tournament.
Tournament History and Context
The Hamburg Open boasts a rich history, dating back to its first edition in 1892, making it one of the oldest tournaments on the ATP Tour. In 2025, the tournament has been moved to May, echoing its scheduling from previous years.
Sinner’s Schedule Leading Up to Wimbledon
Following the French Open, Sinner will transition to grass courts, with his sole warm-up event before Wimbledon being the Halle Open in Germany, scheduled from June 16-22. He has a strong record in Halle, having won the grass-court tournament in the previous year.
Management Changes
In addition to his tournament schedule adjustments, Sinner has also announced a management change for his business and sponsorship affairs. Alex Vittur of AVIMA Sports & Business Management will assume full leadership, succeeding Lawrence Frankopan of StarWing Sports, who declined an offer to work exclusively for Sinner.
Challenges and Expectations
Sinner’s suspension has impacted his ranking, costing him valuable points from missing key tournaments. Despite these challenges, he remains focused on reclaiming his dominance and competing at the highest level.
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