ROME — Excitement is building as Jannik Sinner prepares to make his much-anticipated comeback following a three-month doping suspension. With just a month to go, the Italian Open organizers are eager to embrace the nation’s first-ever homegrown No. 1 player.
“I foresee a warm wave of support from fans, and we must ensure it doesn’t spiral out of control,” remarked Angelo Binaghi, the president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, during Wednesday’s tournament announcement.
Sinner accepted the suspension in February as part of a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, which had challenged a previous ruling by the International Tennis Integrity Agency that cleared him of any wrongdoing due to accidental contamination.
The ban is set to lift on May 4, just in time for the Italian Open, scheduled from May 7-18, marking Sinner’s return to competitive play.
“What truly matters is that he’s back on the court. The fact that it’s happening in Rome makes it even more extraordinary,” said tournament director Paolo Lorenzi. “We are eagerly awaiting his return.”
In a stroke of good fortune, Sinner will receive a first-round bye.
“We anticipate his matches to begin on Friday or Saturday (May 9 or 10), but the exact timing—day or night—remains to be seen,” Lorenzi stated.
To ensure a comfortable atmosphere, organizers have designated a special hospitality box for Sinner, allowing him and his support team to enjoy some privacy amidst the excitement.
Thanks to Davis Cup partner Matteo Berrettini’s impressive performance, defeating No. 2 Alexander Zverev at the Monte Carlo Masters, Sinner is assured of maintaining his No. 1 ranking throughout the Italian Open.
Since defending his Australian Open title in January, Sinner has been off the court.
“I don’t expect him to be in peak condition,” Binaghi commented. “However, given Sinner’s resilience in navigating past challenges, if he can secure victories in his initial matches, the rest should follow smoothly.”
The last Italian male to clinch the title in Rome was Adriano Panatta back in 1976.
Expansion in Italy’s Tennis Landscape
Italy is experiencing a tennis renaissance, with Sinner leading the charge to secure a second consecutive Davis Cup victory last year, while Jasmine Paolini steered the Azzurre to triumph in the Billie Jean King Cup. This success has driven tournament organizers to enhance their infrastructure at the Foro Italico, expanding the event area from 12 to 20 hectares (approximately 30 to 50 acres) and adding an additional statue-adorned competition arena.
The historic Stadio dei Marmi will feature three courts: a 3,000-seat arena along with two 800-seat courts, enriching the tournament experience.
The 3,000-seat venue will rank as the tournament’s third-largest show court, following Campo Centrale and the Grand Stand Arena, while the Pietrangeli court will take the fourth spot.
Established in 1932, the Stadio dei Marmi previously hosted field hockey during the 1960 Rome Olympics and underwent a major restoration last year, preserving its 60 iconic statues.
Binaghi expresses his hope for the tournament to attract an impressive total of 400,000 fans this year.
