Jannik Sinner’s Doping Suspension Ends Ahead of Anticipated Reception at Italian Open

This week, Rome is not only bustling with the conclave to elect a new pope but also buzzing with excitement as tennis sensation Jannik Sinner makes his comeback from a doping suspension during the Italian Open.

For the first time, Italy will feature a world No. 1 player in its home tournament.

Every gesture Sinner makes is being meticulously followed, much like the movements of cardinals ahead of the conclave.

The doping ban, settled in agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, came to an end on Monday. Sinner is set to conduct an open practice session that promises to draw a sold-out crowd of 10,500 eager fans.

This session will be broadcast live on Italian television.

Prior to the practice session, Sinner will be honoured alongside his Davis Cup teammates and Billie Jean King Cup players, recognising Italy’s triumph in sweeping both titles last year.

Since claiming a second consecutive Australian Open title in January, Sinner has been sidelined from competition.

The doping case was settled in February after WADA challenged the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s prior decision to fully acquit Sinner of any wrongdoing, attributing it to accidental contamination from a banned anabolic steroid.

Many have questioned the timing of the settlement, which conveniently allows Sinner to re-enter the tour just in time for his home event without missing any Grand Slam tournaments.

The Italian Open represents the final major clay-court tournament ahead of the French Open, set to begin on May 25.

While some peers think Sinner was too lightly penalised, there may be little dissent in Rome, particularly since his most vocal critic, Nick Kyrgios, is absent from the tournament.

Kyrgios hasn’t participated in the Italian Open since an infamous incident in 2019 when he was defaulted for throwing a chair in anger on the court.

Sinner, who receives a first-round bye, will begin his campaign on Saturday (AEST).

The last Italian man to clinch the title in Rome was Adriano Panatta back in 1976.