May 11, 2025: Jannik Sinner made a triumphant return to tennis on Saturday, earning a confident victory at the Italian Open after a three-month absence due to a doping ban. The world number one, who had not played professionally since February, showcased his skills as he swept past Mariano Navone in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, in front of a packed crowd at the Foro Italico in Rome.
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Sinner, known for his fiery passion and determination, was met with a wave of support from the crowd. Over 10,000 fans cheered him on, many dressed in orange and wearing carrot-themed outfits to celebrate his iconic ginger hair. The atmosphere was electric, and the Italian player admitted that the passionate backing meant far more to him than any result.
“It has been amazing to go again on court after such a long time, having a great support also in the last days,” Sinner said after his win. “From the first day I came here, it has been amazing. That means much more than any result, to be honest.”
Sinner had been sidelined after testing positive for traces of the banned substance clostebol, a decision he accepted with reluctance. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled that the contamination came from his physiotherapist, and there was no indication of intentional wrongdoing by Sinner.
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Despite the lengthy break from competition, Sinner appeared unfazed and in top form. However, he admitted to having doubts and battling nerves ahead of his return. “I have doubts. I had doubts before going on court today. I have doubts now what’s going to happen in the next match,” Sinner shared. “But we have to live with doubts because it means that you really care, that you want to improve, that you want to show yourself, that you want to do something special.”
Sinner emphasized that his focus wasn’t solely on his performance in Rome but on preparing for the French Open later this month. He noted that while he had missed the invaluable feedback from competitive matches, his time in Rome allowed him to assess his strengths and weaknesses. “I feel like we prepared in the best possible way,” he explained. “At least now I have a bigger picture of what I’m doing well and what I have to improve.”
The 21-year-old’s main goal was to play a few more matches in Rome, using them as a springboard to fine-tune his game ahead of the French Open. “Hopefully, I can play here one or two matches more to see where I am at, which would be my main goal. Then all the rest is just a positive,” he added.
As Sinner’s comeback unfolds, it’s clear that the support from fans, coupled with his determination and growth as a player, will be key factors in his success as he prepares for the challenges ahead.