Jannik Sinner is having Serious ‘doubts’ ahead of his second match at the Italian Open after beating Mariano Navone

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner marked a successful return to the court after a three-month suspension, defeating Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-4 in his opening match at the Italian Open. The win extended Sinner’s winning streak to 22 matches and preserved his unbeaten 8-0 record in 2025, which includes his Australian Open triumph over Alexander Zverev.

Despite the straight-sets victory, Sinner revealed he experienced pre-match anxiety, admitting that doubts lingered throughout the lead-up and during the match.

“Of course I had doubts,” Sinner told reporters after the win. “It would be strange not to. That would sound very arrogant, no? I even had doubts before stepping on court today, and I have them about what will happen in the next match too. But doubts show you care and want to improve.”

Sinner will next face Jesper de Jong, a player he previously defeated on his way to the 2024 Australian Open title. Their upcoming clash marks only the second meeting between the two.

The Italian also opened up about the nerves he felt during his return, especially early in the match.

“The whole match is a roller coaster. Even if it looks smooth, inside it’s different,” he explained. “The beginning was tough—just serving again, trying to move properly. Practice is different. You play more freely. In matches, everything matters.”

Still, Sinner expressed satisfaction with his performance, especially considering the long layoff. The stats reflected a strong showing: 21 winners, a 65% first-serve win rate, and a total of 67 points won to Navone’s 56.

Looking ahead, Sinner is hopeful for continued progress.

“I love the competition. That’s what I’ve missed. I feel good on court and now we aim for small improvements—those little details that make the difference. I’ve got a day off tomorrow, and we’ll use it wisely.”