World number one tennis player Jannik Sinner made a successful return to tennis at the Italian Open in Rome on Saturday, following a three-month doping ban, with a straight-sets victory over Mariano Navone in front of over 10,000 enthusiastic fans at the Foro Italico.Sinner dominated the match, winning 6-3, 6-4, while being cheered on by supporters dressed as carrots and wearing orange clothing in tribute to his ginger hair.The Italian player’s absence began in February after testing positive twice for traces of banned substance clostebol. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted that Sinner had been accidentally contaminated by his physiotherapist, with no evidence of intentional cheating.“It has been amazing to go again on court after such a long time, having a great support also in the last days. From the first day I came here, it has been amazing,” Sinner told reporters.
“That means much more than any result, to be honest. It has been an amazing feeling to come here, starting from the first practices with other players.”Who’s that IPL player?Sinner acknowledged experiencing pre-match anxiety about his comeback performance.“I have doubts. I had doubts before going on court today. I have doubts now what’s going to happen in the next match,” said Sinner. “But we have to live with doubts because it means that you really care, that you want to improve, that you want to show yourself, that you want to do something special.”The Italian player emphasized his focus on regaining his best form in Rome, having previously stated that the French Open later this month was his main target.
“I feel like we prepared in the best possible way. Of course, I was missing the feedback of official matches, which are the best feedbacks we player can get,” he said.“At least now I have a bigger picture of what I’m doing well and what I have to improve. Of course, the nerves and everything, it has to go again into my body, trying to understand what we can do better the next round.”“But yeah, hopefully I can play here one or two matches more to see where I am at, which would be my main goal. Then all the rest is just a positive.”
