Jannik Sinner’s return to competitive tennis was met with thunderous support at the Foro Italico in Rome, as Italian fans made it clear they still see him as their national hero — regardless of the controversy surrounding his recent suspension.
Chants of “Sinner, Sinner” echoed through the arena as the world No. 3 stepped back onto the court for the first time in 104 days. His opponent, Argentina’s Mariano Navone, had little chance against the fired-up Italian, who swept to a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Despite the three-month ban he served following a failed doping test, Sinner showed little sign of rust. His groundstrokes were sharp, his movement fluid, and his composure unwavering. Even when the second set grew tense, he maintained control to seal a straight-sets win.
For many observers outside of Italy, however, the raucous reception has sparked discomfort.
The case behind Sinner’s positive test was complex — and not deemed a case of deliberate doping by the International Tennis Integrity Unit or the World Anti-Doping Agency. That nuance hasn’t stopped criticism from those who feel the sport took a reputational hit, especially when paired with Iga Swiatek’s recent similar case.
While Italian media and fans have embraced Sinner’s return without hesitation — cheering his practices, applauding at press conferences, and treating him as a returning champion — others question the tone. Many believe the celebration overlooks the sensitive nature of what tennis has just weathered.
Sinner himself remained measured throughout, refusing to fuel the hype. Yet, the broader tennis community remains divided. Some see a player who served his time and returned honorably; others see someone who benefited from lenient timing that allowed him to miss no Grand Slam events.
With upcoming appearances in Hamburg and at Roland Garros, Sinner will soon return to less emotionally charged environments — and perhaps that’s when tennis can begin to move forward, letting performances, not scandals, reclaim the spotlight
