‘For me, it was an incredible moment’ – Jannik Sinner reflects on the most emotional period in his career as Rome Open return awaits
Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1, is set to return to the ATP Tour at the 2025 Italian Open in Rome after a three-month doping suspension that ended on May 4, 2025. In an interview with Rai 1’s *TG1*, Sinner reflected on the most emotional moment of his career: becoming the first Italian to reach the top ATP ranking in June 2024, following Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the French Open. “When I learned that I was going to become world number 1, it’s not just an achievement, it’s the result of an entire year. For me, it was an incredible moment,” he said, emphasizing the culmination of his 73-6 season, which included three Grand Slam titles (2024 Australian Open, 2024 US Open, and 2025 Australian Open) and four Masters 1000 crowns.[
Another poignant moment for Sinner, as an Italian, is stepping onto Rome’s Centrale court, which he likened to entering a “football stadium” due to the electric atmosphere. However, his return to Rome, where he has never reached the semifinals, carries emotional weight after a challenging period. The suspension, stemming from unintentional clostebol contamination in March 2024, left him “very fragile,” as he admitted to Sky Italia. He struggled with judgment from peers at the 2025 Australian Open, feeling isolated in the locker room and even contemplating quitting. “I didn’t feel at ease… the players looked at me differently,” he told
Despite the adversity, Sinner’s inner circle—family, team, and friends—helped him rebuild. Training with Lorenzo Sonego and Jack Draper, he focused on physical preparation for clay, aiming to peak at Roland Garros. Former player Paolo Lorenzi, in *Il Corriere dello Sport*, tempered expectations, noting that three months without matches may delay Sinner’s top form, though the Rome crowd’s support could boost him. Sinner himself acknowledged the challenge, telling ORF Sudtirol, “The first games will be really difficult,” but expressed optimism about regaining rhythm.[
The doping controversy, which sparked criticism from players like Nick Kyrgios and Stan Wawrinka, continues to linger, with fans on X comparing Sinner’s short ban to Max Purcell’s 18-month suspension. Yet, Sinner’s resilience, evidenced by his Australian Open title defense under pressure, and his launch of the Jannik Sinner Foundation, signal a determined comeback. Rome represents not just a return but a chance to reclaim his narrative on home soil.[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-features/jannik-sinner-drug-ban-comeback-announcement)
