Jannik Sinner hasn’t set foot on a professional court since January 26. That day, he stormed past Alexander Zverev in straight sets to defend his Australian Open crown and lift his third Grand Slam trophy. But just when it looked like 2025 would be his playground, there was a twist: the World No.1 agreed to a three-month ban after testing positive twice for Clostebol in March 2024. But soon his ban will be lifted, on May 4th to be precise, and at the Italian Open, all eyes will be on Italy’s hometown hero. So is he ready for a blockbuster return?

The suspension officially began on February 9, sidelining Sinner from tournaments and even from training with his coaches, Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill. According to WADA rules, he wasn’t allowed to practice with other pros either until April 13. Still, Sinner’s team wasn’t about to let him go rusty. They designed a plan to keep him physically and mentally sharp during the break, just without a tennis ball in sight.

His physical trainer, Marco Panichi, shared that the break turned out to be a blessing in disguise, revealing that the young Italian champion had “rediscovered himself” through activities like skiing, attending fashion shows, and exploring museums. As the clock ticked closer to his comeback date, Sinner finally returned to official training. Trading the ski slopes for clay courts, he set up camp at the Monte-Carlo Country Club—the very place that had just hosted the Monte-Carlo Masters.

On April 17, reports confirmed he hit the practice courts with fellow countryman Matteo Berrettini. If that wasn’t enough of a statement, the next day he was spotted in intense rallies with Britain’s Jack Draper, showing flashes of the power and precision that made him a force before his hiatus.

Naturally, all eyes are now locked on Rome. The home Masters event will be Sinner’s first test, and while fans are dreaming of a fairytale comeback, the top player is keeping it real. “Now that we have less than a month to go, we’re training very, very hard. Hopefully, we’ll get some momentum going again ahead of the clay season,” Sinner told ORF Südtirol. “It certainly won’t be easy for me. The first games will be really difficult. But hopefully I’ll be able to get back into the rhythm and then we’ll see how it goes.”

Jannik Sinner also opened up about how the unexpected break shifted his perspective. “I think at the beginning of the three months, it was quite nice. A bit of time away from all the grind, I spent time with family with friends. I was doing new things and getting to know myself better, finding out where I stand. I think it helped me a lot,” he said.

Still, for all the silver linings, the experience wasn’t without its emotional toll.

Jannik Sinner opens up on his “fragile” state after doping ban

In an emotional interview with Sky Sport Italy, Jannik Sinner spoke about the tough moments after accepting the suspension. He revealed, “I was very fragile because things happened that I didn’t expect, unexpected reactions inside me. Otherwise, I would be lying. I would appear to be a person without feelings and emotions, without anything, but in life, you learn.”

He credited his tight-knit circle for helping him get through it.. “It wasn’t easy; in fact, it was very difficult, but the people around me lifted my spirits; they gave me the strength to better understand what happened,” the World No. 1 added.

The good thing for him is that despite not playing a competitive match for months, Sinner’s No. 1 ranking is still intact. Thanks to missed opportunities from Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner will walk into his first tournament back at the Italian Open still perched atop the ATP Rankings. Talk about making an entrance.

Rome hasn’t always been kind to Sinner—his best result came in 2022, when he reached the quarterfinals before falling to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Last year, a hip injury forced him to withdraw, leaving fans heartbroken. This time, he’s returning as the top seed, carrying not just expectations but the weight of everything that’s happened since January. Will the Italian rise above the noise and deliver a triumphant return on his home turf? Share your thoughts in the comments below.