“It was tough for him. It was tough sometimes for us to watch other tournaments,” said Simone Vagnozzi, Jannik Sinner’s main coach, reflecting on the challenges the young Italian faced during his 3-month break from competition days ago. Unable to train at sanctioned venues, including his Monaco club, Sinner was forced to practice elsewhere, making do with a court about a half-hour away in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France. Upon his return to the familiar red clay, Sinner’s performance in his first Masters tournament was met with considerable anticipation and began with a decisive win. Alternatively, is Sinner grappling with a predicament concerning the preceding trimester? Surely, he does!

The world’s top seed, Jannik Sinner, made an electrifying return to the court at the Foro Italico, sweeping past Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-4 in front of a passionate crowd of over 10,000 fans. Sinner looked every bit the champion. Fans, donning carrot costumes and bright orange attire in homage to his ginger hair, roared with support as the Italian delivered his 22nd consecutive win. 

Even after the victory, he wrote “Che bello” (How beautiful in English) on the camera lens, and the stadium erupted in chants of “Ole!” While his triumphant return seemed effortless, Sinner shared a deeper, more personal reflection. Despite the homecoming success, he admitted feeling doubts creeping in, which he attributes to the uncertainty and disruption caused by his unexpected break. 

During a press conference, Jannik Sinner was questioned regarding any self-doubt experienced over the preceding three months concerning his ability to regain his peak form displayed in Australia. Well, the Italian seemed poised with honesty. “Of course. It’s normal to have doubts. Would be strange to not have any doubts. Would sound very arrogant, no? I have doubts. I had doubts before going on court today. I have doubts now what’s going to happen in the next match,” he added.

Subsequently, Sinner also confessed to the ultimate truth that every athlete either believes in or must confront during a specific period of their career. “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. Yeah, so I believe every one of us has daily doubts, so yeah,” he added.

Jannik Sinner’s win at Foro Italico marked his 1st match since defending his AO title in January. Just 3 weeks later, the Italian accepted a 3-month suspension because Sinner had tested positive after his physio used a spray containing clostebol to treat a cut on his finger. Initially cleared by an independent tribunal, the situation led to a difficult decision, with WADA suggesting a 1 or 2-year ban, but Sinner chose to accept the offer of a shorter suspension.

Despite the victory, Sinner acknowledged the doubts that lingered after his suspension, reflecting on how they shaped his mindset. And later, he also highlighted how this win was not just about returning to form, but also about sticking to his winning strategy throughout the campaign.

“It was a great start,” Jannik Sinner on his Italian Open campaign

As Lazio faced Juventus FC just a short distance away at the Olympic Stadium, Italian ace Jannik Sinner stepped back onto the court, making his return to competitive tennis. Though he missed his very 1st serve, the world’s top seed quickly settled into rhythm. He captured the 1st set with a single break and showcased his trademark clean and powerful ball striking. The 2nd set, however, proved more challenging, as his forehand began to falter, tallying 16 unforced errors on that wing.

Despite some shaky moments, the Italian still managed to secure the match in straight sets with two breaks of serve to one, wrapping up the victory in one hour and 38 minutes. His decision-making wasn’t as sharp as usual; however, all things considered, it was a successful and promising return for the 23-year-old Italian.

“I was missing the feedback of official matches, which are the best feedbacks we players can get,” Sinner added at the post match interview. “At least now I have a bigger picture of what I’m doing well and what I have to improve. The nerves and everything, it has to go again into my body. It was a great start from my point of view of this tournament and of the comeback.”

With the Italian Open being the final Masters 1000 before the Roland-Garros, Sinner has also signed up for the Hamburg Open the week prior to France, aiming for extra clay-court time if needed. 

Up next, he will face 93rd seed Jesper de Jong, a lucky loser from the qualifiers. Yet, backed by a roaring home crowd, Sinner may very well be the clear favorite to lift the trophy on home soil. What do you think?