By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, May 5, 2025
Photo credit: Internazionali BNL d’Italia Facebook
With powerful strokes echoing from the court, Jannik Sinner was back in his element, experiencing the sweet taste of tennis freedom.
Enthusiastic supporters in Italy celebrated Sinner, showering him with applause during his practice session in Rome.
After a three-month suspension, Sinner was finally back on the court as of yesterday.
Speaking to the press just ahead of his return at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Sinner expressed his excitement and maintained humble expectations for his comeback.
“I would be content even if I’m ranked three or four in the world,” Sinner stated. “What matters most is that I’m back here.”
The world number one is set to encounter either Argentine sensation Mariano Navone or local talent Federic Cina in his initial match.
This will mark Sinner’s first competitive encounter since he decisively defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 in the Australian Open final back in January, successfully defending his title.
With a remarkable 21-match winning streak leading into his return, Sinner acknowledged that due to his time off and limited match experience, he holds “very, very low expectations” for the last Masters 1000 event of the clay season.
“Overall, it’s a low-expectation tournament for me, especially concerning results,” Sinner told reporters in Rome.
“What’s crucial is to gauge where my level stands. I’ll get a clearer picture of that after my first match.”
The silver lining for Sinner is the warm welcome he is expected to receive from fans in Rome, as he’s celebrated for his contributions to Italian tennis.
Moreover, during Sinner’s three-month hiatus, his major competitors did not seize the opportunity to claim top spot.
World No. 2 Zverev struggled, exiting the semifinals in six consecutive tournaments after Melbourne. He did secure a win over Ben Shelton in Munich but fell to Francisco Cerundolo in the Madrid round of 16.
Reigning Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz, who was the last player to overcome Sinner in Beijing last fall, won Monte-Carlo but withdrew from Madrid due to health concerns.
Six-time Rome champion Novak Djokovic unexpectedly pulled out of the tournament without providing a specific reason.
In essence, for Sinner—who holds two out of the four Grand Slam titles and could achieve a historic Sinner Slam by triumphing at Roland Garros and Wimbledon—this could be the perfect moment to re-enter the arena.
Initially hesitant to accept his three-month suspension, Sinner maintained his innocence but is happy to move forward, keeping his sights set on a calendar Grand Slam.
“Personally, it’s a relief that the Grand Slams weren’t affected,” Sinner remarked. “I was unwilling to accept that agreement at first; it wasn’t an easy choice for me. I know the truth, but sometimes, one must make difficult decisions in challenging times.”
“But that’s behind me now, and I’m excited to get back on the court.”
