Courtesy: Google
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner made a winning return to the ATP Tour following a three-month suspension with a straight-sets victory over Argentina’s Mariano Navone at the Italian Open. Playing in front of an exuberant home crowd at Rome’s Foro Italico, Sinner showed little sign of rust, taking the match 6-3, 6-4 in the second round. It was his first competitive outing since the Australian Open final earlier this year. The win not only reaffirmed his position at the top of the rankings but also marked a significant moment in his comeback from an unexpected doping controversy.
Sinner’s suspension stemmed from a positive test for clostebol, a banned substance, during the 2024 Indian Wells tournament. The Italian star maintained that the substance had entered his system inadvertently through a topical spray used by his physiotherapist. Though an independent tribunal initially found no fault on his part, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the decision, and a settlement was reached in early 2025. As a result, Sinner accepted a three-month ban under the principle of strict liability, which holds athletes accountable for all substances found in their bodies, regardless of intent.
The last few months were very difficult: Sinner opens up about his 3-month doping ban
Despite the controversy, Sinner received overwhelming support from Italian fans upon his return. The atmosphere at the Foro Italico was electric, with chants and applause erupting throughout the match. His performance showcased many of the qualities that have made him the top-ranked player in the world. He now advances to face Jesper de Jong in the third round, as he aims to build momentum heading into the clay season’s marquee events.
After the win, Sinner expressed both relief and gratitude in his post-match press conference. “It feels amazing to be back on court, especially here in Rome with such incredible support. The last few months were very difficult, but I always tried to stay positive and focused on returning stronger,” he said. Sinner thanked his fans and team for standing by him and emphasized that his focus is now solely on tennis. “I’ve learned a lot from this experience. Now it’s about moving forward and continuing to do what I love; compete at the highest level,” he added.
