The tennis world remains divided over Jannik Sinner’s controversial three-month suspension, with debates raging about its ripple effects on the sport’s competitive landscape. Since the Italian star’s ban began in February—following a settlement between his team and the World Anti-Doping Agency—unpredictability has gripped the ATP Tour, yielding surprise champions like teenage sensation Jakub Mensik at the Miami Open.
Amid the chaos, WTA stalwarts Maria Sakkari and Jasmine Paolini have weighed in, arguing that the men’s game now mirrors the volatility long associated with women’s tennis. But what’s driving this shift? The answers might lie in Sinner’s absence… and the end of an era.
Sakkari & Paolini opens on Jannik Sinner ban
Sakkari, a former world No. 3, and Paolini, a two-time major finalist, dropped a bombshell during a recent Tennis Insider Club discussion: the ATP and WTA Tours are converging in unpredictability.
“To me, it doesn’t really matter about the number one seed, second seed, or third seed,” Sakkari remarked. “Women’s tennis is very unexpected… but now, the men’s draw is getting more even.” Paolini doubled down, linking the trend to seismic changes in men’s tennis. “Maybe because Jannik is not playing… and without [Djokovic], Federer, and Nadal,” she speculated, referencing the void left by retiring legends and Jannik Sinner’s suspension.
Their observations highlight a tectonic shift. With Sinner sidelined since defending his Australian Open title in January—and the “Big Three” era effectively over—the ATP lacks its usual hierarchy. New faces like Mensik are capitalizing, echoing the WTA’s reputation for surprise champions. Sakkari acknowledged the pressure this parity brings:
“If you’re one of the best, you feel the weight to go deep. But so many factors—like draws—are out of your control. You just focus on preparing better.”
Paolini’s nod to Jannik Sinner’s absence adds fuel to the debate. The 22-year-old’s ban has stripped the ATP of a rising anchor, destabilizing a tour already grappling with transition. Meanwhile, Sakkari’s candid take on mental resilience—“It sounds simple, but it’s complicated!”—underscores the universal challenges athletes face in this new landscape.
As Sinner’s return looms, one question lingers: Will his comeback restore order, or has the genie of unpredictability been permanently unleashed? For now, the lines between tours are blurring—and the sport may never look the same.