John Isner predicts what Jannik Sinner’s ban from tennis could do to him years down the line

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Jannik Sinner recently returned to tennis, having missed three months of action.

The world number one began his year in scintillating form when Sinner won the Australian Open, beating Alexander Zverev in the final.

Sinner was then suspended from tennis for three months, which saw him miss four Masters 1000 events.

He was, however, cleared to return for his home tournament in Rome, where Sinner has made a fine start.

Sinner beat Mariano Navone in his Italian Open second-round match before taking down Jesper De Jong in round three.

Ahead of his fourth-round clash with Francisco Cerundolo, one former tennis star has predicted what effect the Italian’s ban could have on him in the future.

John Isner thinks Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension could ‘serve him well’ in the future

On the Nothing Major podcast, former Wimbledon semi-finalist John Isner shared his thoughts on Sinner’s ban.

“It is a perfect start for him. I actually think he was out for three months and he wasn’t hurt,” said Isner.

“I think this is a bit of a blessing in disguise because how often do you get three months?

“Of course, he would rather be playing these tournaments, but he had no choice. He could not play these tournaments.

“I think having three months to get stronger physically will serve him well many years down the road. Looking at this like another off-season he gained.”

Isner’s co-host Steve Johnson weighed in, highlighting the key difference he’s noticed in Sinner since his return in Rome.

“Twice as long an off-season he would usually get, and he looks physically, from my couch here in Los Angeles, he does look stronger, bigger,” said Johnson.

“Maybe it’s the all black outfit, but there is no arguing he is the best tennis player in the world right now and has been for the better part of 18 to 24 months.”

It’s certainly not outrageous to suggest Sinner is the best in the world right now, as the rankings prove the Italian is a class above.

Sinner holds a 1,645-point lead over number-two ranked Zverev, a gap that is likely to widen, should the German fail to defend his Italian Open title this week.

A title for the 23-year-old in Rome would see him break through the 10,000 point barrier again, at 10,730.

He won’t want to get too far ahead of himself, however, and will first focus on his Italian Open fourth-round match with Cerundolo.

Jannik Sinner and Francisco Cerundolo’s head-to-head record

Sinner and Cerundolo have faced off four times on the ATP Tour, with the head-to-head level at two apiece.

• 2023 Italian Open 4R – Francisco Cerundolo beat Jannik Sinner, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
• 2022 Vienna Open 2R – Jannik Sinner beat Francisco Cerundolo, 7-5, 6-3
• 2022 Davis Cup – Jannik Sinner beat Francisco Cerundolo, 7-5, 1-6, 6-3
• 2022 Miami Open QF – Francisco Cerundolo beat Jannik Sinner, 4-1 (RET)

Interestingly, Cerundolo beat Sinner in the fourth round of the 2023 Italian Open, their most recent encounter.

The Argentine narrowly lost the first set tiebreaker, before fighting back to win in three, advancing to just his third Masters 1000 quarterfinal.

Cerundolo’s win over Sinner was his fourth against a top ten opponent, a tally he has improved upon significantly since.

The 26-year-old is, however, yet to secure a win against a world number one, a statistic he’d surely love to change when he takes on Sinner in Rome.

Cerundolo and Sinner will battle it out for a place in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open on Tuesday, May 13.