Jannik Sinner handed boost as Masters 1000 venue set to host world number one during his tennis ban

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Jannik Sinner’s 2025 season recently took a dramatic turn, having won his third Major title just weeks ago.

The world number one enjoyed the perfect start to the year, as Sinner beat Alexander Zverev in straight sets to defend his Australian Open title.

Sinner then traveled to Doha for the Qatar Open, as he looked to make his return to action before receiving news that sent shockwaves through the world of tennis.

Italy’s Sinner was banned for three months, following the conclusion of his controversial doping saga.

As a part of his ban, Sinner is only allowed to train at private venues, not associated with professional events.

However, he has now been handed a lifeline, as one Major ATP event can host the world number one, ahead of his return to tennis.

Jannik Sinner can train at the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 venue during his three-month tennis ban

The ITIA [International Tennis Integrity Agency] recently confirmed the rules around Sinner’s training during his ban to Tennis Italiano.

“[Sinner] can train with his own support staff, as long as he does not do so in a place connected to a national association, the ATP, the ITF, the WTA, the Grand Slams or an event covered by our regulations,” they said.

However, it is now understood that Sinner should be allowed to train at the Monte Carlo Country Club, the venue of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 event.

The Monegasque club is private when not in use for the tournament, and is not affiliated with the French Tennis Federation, therefore offers a perfect place for Sinner to train over the next few months.

He will, of course, be unable to do so while the tournament takes place, between April 5-13.

Monte Carlo could be the ideal location for the Italian to train, considering his success at the event over recent years.

• 2024 Monte Carlo Masters (SF) – Lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6
• 2023 Monte Carlo Masters (SF) – Lost to Holger Rune, 6-1, 5-7, 5-7
• 2022 Monte Carlo Masters (QF) – Lost to Alexander Zverev, 7-5, 3-6, 6-7

Sinner came mightily close to reaching the finals in Monte-Carlo last year, narrowly losing out to three-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets.

The Italian may well head to Monte Carlo later this month as he searches for fitness ahead of his return to competitive action in May.

Jannik Sinner set to miss five-consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments

Sinner will miss four Masters 1000 tournaments in 2025; Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid before likely making his return to action in Rome for his home Italian Open.

At the end of 2024, Sinner skipped the Paris Masters event due to illness, which means the Italian will have missed five consecutive Masters tournaments when he next appears at the 1000 level.

Excluding the pandemic-affected 2020 season, no other player in the ATP top ten has missed that many tournaments since becoming tour regulars.

Novak Djokovic is the only other member of the top ten to have missed more than three consecutive Masters 1000 events, returning to action at Indian Wells in 2018.

The Serb suffered a shock defeat to Taro Daniel in the second round, 6-7, 6-4, 1-6, as he suffered his worst result in California since making his debut in 2005.

Sinner will certainly be hoping for a more successful return to action when the Italian Open kicks off on May 7.