The world number one is set to return to the court at the Italian Open in Rome next month after serving a three-month ban for testing positive for the banned substance clostebol but admits that the ordeal made him consider his future in the sport as he felt players looked at him "differently" during his victorious Australian Open campaign earlier this year.

Sinner told the Italian broadcaster RAI: "I remember before the Australian Open this year, I was not in a very happy moment because there was still that case of doping.

"I didn't really feel comfortable in the locker room, where I ate. It was a bit like some players looked at me differently and I didn't like it at all.

"I felt like being in tennis, with that atmosphere, was too much. I was always someone who joked about, who went in the dressing room speaking with whoever, but it became different. I wasn't at ease.

"I didn't feel comfortable and then I said, maybe after Australia, a little bit of free time, in the sense where I take a little break, it will do me good."

Sinner admits that the support of his family and friends gave him the encouragement he needed to carry on amid the controversy.

The three-time major champion said: "In the end I built my own bubble, where no one else entered, and this certainly gave me the desire to continue, the desire to prepare well for the Slams.

"I am very happy that this phase is over and I am ready to start again, even if a period of stop, maybe not so long, was necessary for me."