Jannik Sinner expressed his immense joy and relief after returning to the tennis court with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Argentina’s Mariano Navone at the Italian Open. The win marked the world number one's 22nd consecutive triumph, a streak interrupted by a three-month suspension following a doping ban.
Reflecting on his long-awaited return, Sinner said, “It has been amazing to go again on court after such a long time, having great support also in the last days.”
The Warmth of the Home Crowd
As the match concluded, the Italian champion wrote ‘Che bello’ (How beautiful) on the camera lens, celebrating the home crowd's support. Chants of ‘Ole’ rang throughout the stadium, and Sinner revealed that the welcome he received from the 10,500-strong crowd was the best he had ever experienced.
“From the first day I came here, it has been amazing. I was waiting for this moment quite a long time,” said Sinner, visibly appreciative of the warmth from the fans. Despite the excitement, he walked on court with a child mascot, showing little emotion.
The Match and Its Challenges
While his victory seemed comfortable, Sinner acknowledged the emotional rollercoaster of returning to competitive tennis.
He described, “The whole match, even when it seems quite comfortable, it's a rollercoaster, no? Inside we feel that, especially the beginning of the match having, again, the nerves of serving for the first time, trying to move in the best possible way you can.”
Fans were also eager to witness his practice sessions earlier in the day, with many children perched on their parents' shoulders to get a glimpse of the star. The excitement surrounding his return was palpable, with "Jannik’s day" featured on the front page of Corriere dello Sport, Italy’s leading sports newspaper.
Support from Fellow Players and Fans
Sinner's return has been met with an outpouring of support from both the media and fellow players. His practice sessions with top-10 players like Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud have been marked by enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, and there has been a growing sentiment among Italian tennis fans that his doping ban was unjust. Many see his return not just as a comeback but as a cause for celebration.
Sinner’s parents, who were in attendance, were among those welcoming him with open arms. He added, "I think once you meet her as a human being, a person face-to-face and sort of understand her, you realize, like, man, she really is a beautiful human being."
The Doping Ban Controversy
Despite this setback, Sinner remained composed and focused on the future. “At least now I have a bigger picture of what I'm doing well and what I have to improve," he said after the victory. His goal is to get back to his peak form and build on his remarkable comeback performance.
Looking Ahead
Sinner will now face world number 93 Jesper de Jong in his third-round match, with hopes high for a continued successful return to the tour. As he navigates his comeback, the Italian star has proven his resilience and commitment, much to the delight of his home fans and tennis enthusiasts worldwide.