After a disappointing finish in Doha, Jannik Sinner appears focused on redemption at the Sunshine Double. The Italian was seen training in Palm Springs, marking his long-awaited return to California after nearly two years.
Sinner’s last appearance at the Indian Wells Masters came in 2024. He missed the following year while serving a three-month doping suspension.
Days After Disappointing Doha Campaign, Jannik Sinner Hits Practice Courts in California Ahead of the Indian Wells Masters
The Italian enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, capturing six tour titles, including two majors. His 2026 campaign, however, has not matched those lofty standards. He entered the Australian Open as the favorite to defend his crown and complete a rare three-peat, but despite a smooth run to the semifinals, he was edged out in five sets by Serbian great Novak Djokovic.
Sinner then turned his attention to the ATP 500 event in Doha, opening with commanding straight-set victories over Tomáš Macháč and Alexei Popyrin to reach the quarterfinals. His momentum stalled against sixth seed Jakub Menšík, who earned a 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 win to eliminate the Italian.
Although the season’s opening stretch has not unfolded as Sinner envisioned, he now has an opportunity to reset at the year’s first Masters 1000 event, the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. He will also be motivated by the fact that he has never won the tournament, with semifinal finishes in 2023 and 2024 his best results
Sinner has begun preparations for the upcoming Masters 1000 event, recently spotted training in Palm Springs, California.
Jannik Sinner practicing in Palm Springs, California! 🎾🦊
📲 unionandpartners pic.twitter.com/c5xJ19o2O7
— janniksin archive (@sinnervideos) February 26, 2026
It is worth noting that in March 2024, Sinner tested positive twice for the banned performance-enhancing substance clostebol, prompting an investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency. The agency later concluded that he was not at fault or negligent.
Following that verdict, the World Anti-Doping Agency filed an appeal and sought a period of suspension for the Italian. After assessing Sinner’s explanation of the contamination, however, WADA ultimately settled on a three-month ban, which he served between February 2025 and May 2025.
Because the tournament fell within that suspension period, Sinner was unable to compete last year, eventually returning during the clay-court swing in May.
