Jannik Sinner claimed he was “surprised” with his own level after playing his first match back from a three-month suspension. The world No. 1 made a winning return to competition on home soil at the Italian Open, beating Mariano Navone 6-3 6-4 in front of a packed Campo Centrale crowd on Saturday night.
After the match, Sinner admitted it was the first time in a year that he could step on the match court without extra thoughts in his head, and he was keen to get back to work after passing his first test.
It was a significant night for the three-time Grand Slam champion. Not only was he returning from a three-month ban, but he was also back in Rome for the first time in two years after missing the 2024 Italian Open with an injury.
But he received a warm welcome onto the main stadium court at the Foro Italico, and the 10,500 fans broke out into chants of ‘ole Sinner’ throughout the night.
It wasn’t the highest-quality match from the world No. 1, but he was still able to seal a routine victory in his first match since the Australian Open final in January. And he surprised himself after fending off a resurgence from Navone in the second set.
“I was surprised myself with how things can change so quickly as I tried to give everything I have. I think that’s the only thing I can do, that’s the only thing I can control right now,” Sinner said.
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