“Very, very low expectations”: Five key quotes by Jannik Sinner before the world No 1 returns in Rome
Jannik Sinner will be back on court against Mariano Navone or Federica Cina on Saturday, after a three-month suspension, at the Rome Masters 1000. With no great expectations, he assures.
Jannik Sinner, Rome 2025 | © Tristan Lapierre / Tennis Majors
Sinner doesn’t exPeCt any special performance in RomE
Context : Jannik Sinner, world No 1, agreed a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency in February and began an immediate three-month suspension after authorities accepted that the anabolic agent clostebol had entered his system via massages from his physiotherapist. He has not played since his win at the Australian Open in January.
What Sinner said in Rome : “It’s a very, very low expectation tournament in general for me, it’s also talking results wise. What’s missing is the complete feedback of where my level is. That’s going to come then slowly with the time of playing, after the first-round match. I’m going to have a good picture of myself — where I am at. Back at training, I could feel that I’m not playing for quite a long time. The body still has to adjust the times … the blisters in hands they come again because you’re not used to it anymore. The main goal is Paris. These weeks will help me see what tennis I am playing. I am not here to beat everyone; I am here to challenge myself.”
Sinner SAYS it was best TIME TO BE OFF the COURT
Context : Sinner didn’t miss a Grand Slam during his suspension, “only” four Masters 1000, won by Jack Draper (Indian Wells), Jakub Mensik (Miami), Carlos Alcaraz (Monte-Carlo) and Casper Ruud (Madrid).
What Sinner said in Roma : “For me personally, it’s good news that the Grand Slams were not included in the suspension… This kind of agreement, I didn’t want to do it in the beginning. It was not easy for me to accept it because I know what really happened, but sometimes we have to choose the best in a very bad moment. It’s all over now, so I’m happy to play tennis again. I was in a tough situation and in the beginning of the Australian Open, I struggled a lot. So, it was nice also to take a small break. Three months is a little bit [too much], it is what it is.”
Sinner still has to understand who his real mates on Tour are
Context: Sinner recently said that some players looked at him differently in Australia. He just has to find his place again in the locker room, among everybody.
What Sinner said in Rome : “Tennis is an individual sport, and everyone plays for themselves. But at the beginning of the sanction, I sought refuge in my team and my friends. Although I received surprising messages from some players, from others I didn’t hear anything, which is normal. Everyone wants to win, and now I want to take it step by step, and I will meet them on the court.”
Sinner barely watched tennis
Context: Sinner is back on Tour, still as the world No 1.
What Sinner said in Rome: “Honestly, I didn’t follow the circuit at the beginning of the sanction. I didn’t watch Indian Wells or Miami; I only knew the results. But I haven’t watched much tennis, only from Madrid onwards, and only some players I was interested in seeing. I couldn’t control anything that happened on the circuit. Some players have struggled; the new generation is getting stronger. For me, the most important thing is the ‘Race’ for Turin, and I am happy to be in a good position.”
Sinner is not INVOLVED IN A RELATIONSHIP
Context: Sinner was seen with top model Lara Leito during his suspension. But he’s single, as he highlighted at The Foro Italico.
What Sinner said in Roma: “There’s a whole a lot of attention, also off the court. And I was also very surprised to see some pictures, which are nothing serious. I’m not in a relationship. So, whoever is asking, it’s all good.”
