World No. 1 Jannik Sinner returned to competition at the Italian Open with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 win over Mariano Navone after serving a three-month suspension. The 23-year-old Italian opened up about the internal doubts he experienced during his absence from the sport, admitting that despite his winning form before the ban, uncertainty crept in.
Sinner accepted the suspension in February as part of a case-resolution agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency. His return on Saturday night in Rome marked his first match since early February, but he picked up right where he left off.
“Of course, it’s normal to have doubts,” Sinner said when asked about his mindset during the suspension. “It would be strange not to. It would sound very arrogant, no? I had doubts before going on court today. I have doubts about what’s going to happen in the next match. But we live with doubts because it shows that you care and want to improve.”
Despite a dominant scoreline, Sinner acknowledged the emotional roller coaster of competing again.
“Even if it looks comfortable, it’s a roller coaster inside,” he explained. “Especially at the beginning—serving again, trying to move well—it’s different. In practice, you play more freely. I’m very competitive, so I missed the official match energy. That’s what I was looking for today.”
His all-black outfit also caught attention. Sinner said he chose the dark tones for comfort and continuity: “I always play in black here in Rome. I feel it suits me. I prefer darker colors over bright ones like yellow or orange.”
Though not yet at peak form, Sinner’s return made a clear statement: the world No. 1 is back—and ready to fight
