Jannik Sinner is officially back in full training as he gears up for his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour—and he’s enlisted the help of a familiar face to get back to top form.
After serving a three-month suspension from tennis—part of a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) following two failed tests in March 2024—Sinner is now free to train and compete with fellow professionals as of April 13.
That key date coincided with Carlos Alcaraz’s Monte Carlo Masters win, and Sinner wasted no time getting to work. His chosen training partner? Fellow Italian and close friend Matteo Berrettini.
Training Together in Monte Carlo
The duo is training at the Monte Carlo Country Club, the same venue where Alcaraz lifted the title just last week. According to Gazzetta.it, Sinner is working closely with his coaching team, including renowned Australian coach Darren Cahill, to sharpen his game.
Sinner and Berrettini are set to train together on Wednesday and Thursday—key sessions in the build-up to Sinner’s return in front of home fans at the Italian Open next month.
Although Berrettini withdrew from this week’s ATP 500 event in Munich citing injury, it’s believed he made that decision to support Sinner’s return, especially after his solid showing in Monte Carlo, where he reached the third round and beat top seed Alexander Zverev.
Friendship Fuels the Comeback
Sinner and Berrettini share a strong bond, having led Italy to a second consecutive Davis Cup title last November. Berrettini has always spoken highly of Sinner—on and off the court.
“We had never seen anyone hit so hard, so flat and make so few mistakes,” Berrettini once said about Sinner.
“He’s the most humble player there is. He came to Davis Cup like he hadn’t just won the ATP Finals. He showed great respect for the team.”
“His tennis is incredible, but it’s how he handles things off the court and how he treats people that stands out most.”
Sinner Opens Up About Suspension and Recovery
In a recent interview with Sky Italy, Sinner reflected on the emotional toll of his suspension and the decision to accept the three-month ban:
“In the end, you have to choose the lesser evil, and I believe that’s what I’ve done,” he said.
“Even if it felt unfair, I know it could have been worse. It was a hard time—I was fragile. But the people around me gave me the strength to understand and move forward.”
“I’m calm now because I know what I want to do: play tennis and be at peace. That’s the end of the story.”
Up Next: Return at the Italian Open
With training now in full swing, Sinner is eyeing a triumphant comeback on home soil in Rome. The Italian Open will mark his return to competitive action, and with Berrettini in his corner, fans are eager to see how quickly the world No. 1 can rediscover his top form.
