Jannik Sinner’s 2025 Season Marked by Key Absences and Withdrawals

Jannik Sinner’s 2025 tennis season has been significantly impacted by a three-month doping suspension earlier in the year and recent withdrawals, notably his retirement from the Shanghai Masters due to severe cramping. These disruptions have seen the Italian star miss several prominent tournaments and raise questions about player welfare amidst demanding tour conditions.

Early Season Disruption: Doping Suspension

The initial phase of Sinner’s 2025 season was notably curtailed by a suspension related to a doping violation.

The Clostebol Settlement

In a surprising development, Jannik Sinner accepted a three-month suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after testing positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, in March 2024. While the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) initially cleared Sinner, accepting his explanation of accidental contamination, WADA appealed the decision, leading to a settlement for a reduced ban. The suspension ran from February 9 to May 4, making him ineligible to compete in ATP events during this period.

Tournaments Missed

During his suspension, the World No. 1 (at the time of the ban) was forced to miss several significant events on the ATP Tour, including the Qatar Open, the Indian Wells Masters, the Miami Open, the Monte Carlo Masters, and the Madrid Open. He successfully defended his Australian Open title earlier in the year before the ban commenced. Sinner made his return to competitive play on home soil at the Italian Open in May.

Mid-Season Withdrawals and Injury Concerns

Beyond the doping suspension, Sinner’s 2025 schedule has also seen other notable absences and injury scares.

Wimbledon Scare and Canadian Open Withdrawal

Concerns arose during Wimbledon when Sinner required a medical timeout for an elbow injury after a fall in his last-16 match. However, his coach, Darren Cahill, later downplayed fears of a withdrawal from the Grand Slam, and Sinner ultimately continued to compete. Later in the season, Sinner, along with Novak Djokovic, reportedly withdrew from the National Bank Open (Canadian Masters) in Toronto in July. This decision was made to allow both players to recover following Wimbledon, highlighting the demanding nature of the tour schedule.

Shanghai Masters Retirement Amid Brutal Conditions

Most recently, Sinner’s campaign at the Shanghai Masters 2025 came to an abrupt end due to severe physical distress.

The Griekspoor Match

On October 5, 2025, during his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor, Sinner was forced to retire in the deciding set due to severe cramping in his right leg. The conditions in Shanghai were described as brutal, with high humidity and heat significantly impacting player performance and safety. Sinner was visibly in discomfort and barely able to walk, requiring assistance to leave the court.

Player Welfare Concerns

Sinner’s retirement was one of several at the Shanghai Masters, leading to widespread concern among players and fans regarding the tournament conditions and player welfare. Novak Djokovic also described the conditions as “brutal” after his own match, with the ATP subsequently issuing a statement that the matter was “under active review” and explicitly referencing a potential “official heat policy”. This incident underscored the intense physical demands faced by athletes in extreme weather, raising questions about clearer thresholds for suspending or adjusting play.

Looking Ahead: Sinner’s Immediate Schedule

Despite the alarming scenes in Shanghai, Sinner’ appears to be recovering and is expected to return to the court shortly.

Recovery and Upcoming Exhibition

Following his withdrawal from Shanghai, Sinner returned to Monte Carlo for rest and recovery. Reports indicate that there is no major injury, with his collapse attributed to physical exhaustion and the harsh playing conditions. Sinner is reportedly “doing alright now” and is slated to participate in the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 15-18, where he is the defending champion.

Potential Schedule Adjustments

While Sinner is expected to compete in upcoming tournaments like Vienna, Paris Masters, and the ATP Finals, there has been speculation about him potentially skipping Vienna or Paris to manage his schedule, especially given the recent physical strain and the impact on his year-end No. 1 race ambitions. His team is focused on preventing recurring muscle issues and managing his demanding calendar efficiently.