Jannik Sinner has returned to the tennis circuit at the Italian Open following a three-month anti-doping ban, setting expectations low as he looks to find his form again. The ATP No 1 has not competed since his Australian Open victory in January, marking his third Grand Slam title. Despite the break, Sinner’s approach to this tournament is pragmatic, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding his performance after such a lengthy hiatus.
During his pre-event press conference, Sinner admitted that it feels “strange” to be back on tour. He emphasized that his focus is not on immediate results but rather on gauging his current level of play. “It’s a very low expectation tournament in general,” he said. “Results-wise, I don’t know. For me, what’s missing is the complete feedback of where my level is. That’s going to come slowly with time playing. After the first-round match I’m going to have a good picture of myself, where I am at.”
Sinner’s return to the sport follows a ban that was imposed after he tested positive for clostebol, a banned substance, last April. However, he was cleared of wrongdoing by an independent tribunal, and the suspension was later negotiated through a case resolution agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The ban, which included restrictions on training with other professional athletes and entry into official tournament venues, left Sinner unable to engage in much tennis-related activity for several months.
Reflecting on his time away from the sport, Sinner shared that last year had been difficult for him personally. He described feeling immense pressure, and the inability to openly discuss what happened during his suspension only added to the stress. Despite this, Sinner managed to find solace in a brief break from competition, though he admitted that three months felt a bit too long. “But a small break was good, but I could feel that I’m not playing for quite a long time,” he said. He noted that his body had to readjust, with blisters and discomfort reappearing as he got back into the swing of things.
One of the hardest aspects of the ban for Sinner, however, was the restriction on attending other professional sporting events. As a sports fan, he missed the opportunity to support his friends in cycling or motorsport, as well as the simple pleasure of attending football matches in a stadium. “To be honest, for me, the toughest part was that, in the beginning, I couldn’t watch any other sport, really, in real life,” Sinner explained. Despite these challenges, he remained focused on returning to tennis mentally prepared and ready to get back on track.
Now, with the spotlight on his return to competition in his home country, Sinner has found himself at the center of attention, both on and off the court. His press conference was packed with journalists, and his entry into the room was met with applause. He also humorously addressed the recent rumors surrounding his personal life, dismissing them with a smile. “There’s a whole lot of attention, also kind of off the court. And I was also very surprised to see some pictures, which are nothing serious. So yeah, I’m not in a relationship. So whoever is asking, it’s all good,” he said.
Sinner’s first official practice session at the Italian Open was accompanied by loud cheers from the home crowd, further signaling his popularity in Italy. He remains the ATP No 1 and, like all seeded players, has received a first-round bye. He will play his first match in the second round, facing either Mariano Navone or Federico Cina. As Sinner begins this next chapter of his career, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how he performs after such an extended absence.
