While everyone else has been slogging away on the clay-court grind, Jannik Sinner has been resting up. That could work both ways for the world No. 1 heading into the Internazionali BNL d’Italia and eventually the French Open. One one hand, he is more rested and probably healthier than the competition; on the other hand, he has not played a match since the Australian Open.
Will rest or rust be the overriding factor in Rome? Only time will tell, but for now Sinner–who was suspended for three months stemming from a positive doping test in 2024–is keeping expectations low.
“It’s a very, very low expectation tournament in general, talking results wise,” the Italian assured. “For me, what’s missing is the complete feedback of where my level is. That’s going to come slowly with time. After the first round match, I’m going to have a better picture of myself, where I am at.
“[They were] very long months, but I was glad to share some great moments with my family, with my friends. We were practicing very hard, especially in the gym in the beginning, coming back to court again. It was good, but I could feel that I’m not playing for quite a long time. The body still has to adjust, the blisters in hands…. They didn’t come again because you’re not used to it anymore, but all good, I’m just very happy, very curious to see where I am at.”
Sinner’s ban officially ended on Monday, when he practiced with Jiri Lehecka. He had a hitting session with Taylor Fritz on Tuesday.
“It’s very strange feeling again in the beginning to be around so many people and attention,” the top seed commented. “But it’s nice to be back; me and my team are very happy.”
Following a bye, Sinner will kick off his Rome campaign against either Mariano Navone or Federico Cina on Saturday. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is a potential third-round foe, while Francisco Cerundolo and Frances Tiafoe possibly loom in the last 16.
Sinner or the field?
The field