For Jannik Sinner, all paths (re) go from Rome

It is an understatement to say that Jannik Sinner is expected by a whole country at Foro Italico. The world number 1, sportsman who was adored in Italy, returns to the masters 1000 in Rome from this Tuesday, after having served his three months of suspension for doping. “I am very happy to be back, it was a very, very, long break”, underlined the Italian, whose last racket dates back to January 26, in the final of the Australian Open which he won for the second consecutive year. “I know that my return arouses a lot of attention. »»

Because if the year 2024 was that of its explosion at the highest world level, with eight titles won including the Australian Open, the US Open and the Masters ATP, it was also that of its positive anti -doping control on the sidelines of the Masters 1000 of Indian Wells. A resounding case which he hopes to have sold by accepting in February a suspension of three months, but which continues to divide the world of tennis.

“At the beginning, I did not want this agreement”

If the accidental contamination to an anabolic, via a massage provided by a member of his entourage, has never been called into question, the agreement reached with the world anti -doping agency, which initially aimed at two years of suspension, made teeth cringe. “At the beginning, I did not want this agreement, he recognized. It was not easy for me to accept it, because I really know what happened, but sometimes you have to know how to get the best out of a bad situation and that is what we did. »»

“It’s all over now, I’m happy to be able to replay”insisted the native of the Haut-Adige who will first oppose the Argentinian Mariano Navone (99^e) or the great Italian hope Federico Cina (323^e).

A return with a fanfare?

His rivals did not really take advantage of his absence: his runner -up in the ATP Alexander Zverev ranking still accuses almost 2,000 points late. The German, winner in Rome in 2024, has certainly just won the Munich tournament, but has not exceeded the knockout stages of the three masters 1000. Carlos Alcaraz did better than Zverev, winning in Monte-Carlo, but the Spaniard has downgraded to 3^e Ranged in the world and, injured, had to skip Madrid. As for Novak Djokovic, after his pitiful eliminations as soon as he entered Monte-Carlo and Madrid, he did not even make the trip to Rome.

So much so that Sinner, despite his forced break, could very well come back as he left, by winner, and become the first Italian to win the Italian internationals since Adriano Panatta in 1976. “My goal is Roland-Garros, However, he warned. I’m here to see where I am, to try to pass my first round, not to beat everyone. Each match will be difficult, but I am very serene, well physically and morally, rested and it will pay at the end of the season. »»

Masters 1000 from Rome, starting this Tuesday, May 6, on Eurosport (male matches) and BeIN Sports (female matches).