Jannik Sinner has been dropped from an exhibition event in Las Vegas next month while the No. 1-ranked men's tennis player is serving connected to a pair of failed doping tests.
Instead of Sinner, Casper Ruud is now slated to join , Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul on March 2 as part of the MGM Rewards Slam at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The switch was announced Thursday in a news release that said Sinner 鈥渨ill not play following his recent suspension.鈥�
Last weekend, Sinner accepted the punishment as part of a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency. WADA had appealed a decision last year by the Sinner for what it ; he tested positive twice in March 2024 for trace amounts of an anabolic steroid, then explained later that purchased 鈥� and gave to another member of the entourage, who massaged Sinner 鈥� contained the banned substance clostebol.
Under his settlement, Sinner 鈥� 鈥� will be sidelined until early May and can return to competition at the Rome Masters in his home country. The timing of the ban, which , means he won't miss a Grand Slam tournament; the next one is the French Open, which starts on May 25.
Sinner has won three of the past five major men鈥檚 singles championships 鈥� each of the past two Australian Opens, , and at in September.
Ruud and Zverev both have been the runner-up at majors three times. Fritz lost to Sinner in last year's U.S. Open final. Paul's best Grand Slam showing was reaching the semifinals.
On March 1, the top-ranked woman, Aryna Sabalenka, will play against former No. 1 Naomi Osaka in an exhibition match at the same site.
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AP tennis:
Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press
