Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner returns to action after serving a three-month doping ban at the 2025 Italian Open.
He was treated to a stadium filled with nearly 5,000 fans for his first practice session on Monday — the day his three-month banishment from the sport expired.
Who is Sinner playing in Italian Open?
After a first-round bye in Rome, Sinner will be play his opening match on Saturday against No. 99 Mariano Navone.
Navone defeated 18-year-old Italian wild card Federico Cina 6-3, 6-3.
The Italian Open is the last big clay-court event before the French Open, which starts on May 25.
It’s the first time that Italy has had a No. 1 player for its home tournament. Still, Sinner was at a loss to explain why he attracts so much attention.
“I don’t know. Honestly, I think I’m a simple 23-year-old kid. I’m good at playing tennis but I’m not changing the world,” he said. “I always remember that I come from a small town of 2,000 people. Being here in Rome and playing in front of so many people is a big deal.”
This will be the first time that Sinner will play 24-year-old Navone.
The last tournament Sinner played before the ban was this year’s first Grand Slam, Australian Open, which the Italian won.
(With inputs from AP)
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com