Despite his suspension, Sinner is set to remain world number 1 until his return
Jannik Sinner won't be back on the circuit until May. The World Anti-Doping Agency announced on Saturday February 15 that the world number 1, who tested positive twice for clostebol during Indian Wells last year, had accepted a three-month suspension effective February 9.
In the meantime, Sinner's return to the circuit is likely to take place during the Rome Masters 1000 in the spring.
An opportunity to discuss the number of points Jannik Sinner will lose during the suspension period. He currently has 11,830 points. On May 4, when he can resume competition, he will have 9,730 points, a total loss of 2,100 points.
The Italian, who won the title in Rotterdam, will lose his 500 points next Monday when the new ATP rankings are published, as reported by L'Équipe.
Semi-finalist at Indian Wells last year, Sinner lost the points he earned at the tournament after his test, but he will also lose the 1,000 points for his title in Miami, another 400 obtained after his semi-final in Monte-Carlo and a further 200 in Madrid, where he forfeited before his quarter-final last season.
At present, Zverev, Sinner's runner-up in the ATP rankings, has 8,135 points, but his elimination in the quarters in Buenos Aires will not allow him to make a big move in the rankings.
To become world number 1 before Sinner returns to the circuit, he will need to win at least two of the next four Masters 1000 events (Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Madrid), among others.
Carlos Alcaraz, for his part, is even further behind, with the Spaniard currently more than 4,300 points behind his rival.
Defending champion at Indian Wells, the 21-year-old will need to win more than 3,000 points between now and the beginning of May if he is to regain the throne.
In other words, even during his period of suspension, Jannik Sinner has a good chance of retaining his world number one ranking.
