World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has revealed that his two-handed backhand is his favorite and strongest shot, a cornerstone of his game as he prepares for a highly anticipated comeback at the Italian Open (May 7–18, 2025) after a three-month doping ban. In an interview with Rai Uno, Sinner expressed confidence in his backhand, which he hits with an average of 1858 RPM and 69.1 mph, among the tour’s best according to Tennis Data Innovations. He admitted, however, that his serve needs improvement and expressed envy for the finesse of Carlos Alcaraz and Lorenzo Musetti, whose touch he admires. This self-assessment highlights Sinner’s focus on refining his game for the clay season, particularly at his home tournament in Rome, where he last competed in 2023.
Sinner’s return follows a challenging period. His ban, stemming from two positive tests for clostebol in March 2024, ended on May 4, 2025, after a settlement with WADA. The ordeal led him to consider stepping away from tennis, as he felt isolated by peers during the Australian Open, where he defended his title. Despite the setback, Sinner retained his top ranking, with rivals like Alexander Zverev, who remains upbeat about his clay form, and Alcaraz failing to capitalize. Training since April 13, including sessions with Jack Draper in Monte Carlo, Sinner is gearing up for the Foro Italico, where he may receive a private suite, a rare honor previously granted to Novak Djokovic.[]
The Italian Open marks a critical step toward the French Open (May 25–June 8, 2025), where Sinner aims to leverage his baseline dominance, as seen in his 67% win rate in rallies over nine shots at the 2025 Australian Open. However, he anticipates rustiness, noting, “Sometimes it goes very well, at other times there is a drop.” Facing a deep field, including Zverev, Alcaraz, and Alex de Minaur, who Todd Woodbridge predicts could reach a Grand Slam semi-final, Sinner’s backhand and mental resilience will be tested. His return promises to electrify Rome, with fans and organizers eager to celebrate Italy’s tennis icon.
