After serving a three-month ban, Jannik Sinner is all set to make his comeback on his home soil at the 2025 Italian Open. His suspension started on February 9 and it will end on May 4, i.e., tomorrow. Talking about his return to this tournament as the world number one, Angelo Binaghi, the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, had said, “I’m expecting that he’s going to be swamped by the fans’ affection, so we’re going to have to make sure that things don’t get out of hand.”

Sinner believes the first few games here will be “really difficult” for him. However, he’s keen to get back into his rhythm and see where it goes from here. Amid all these, Sinner was recently spotted engaging in a practice session with the Danish superstar.

The Italian Open is set to commence from May 6 and it’ll go on till May 18, 2025. Just three days before this mega clay court event, Jannik Sinner was spotted practicing with Holger Rune in Monte Carlo. Renowned tennis journalist Giovanni Pelazzo shared that update with the fans on his X handle by sharing a glimpse of their training session with the caption, “Jannik Sinner 🇮🇹 and Holger Rune 🇩🇰 in training together in Montecarlo.” Now, since we’re just days away from his comeback, how hard have the last few months been for him?

Sinner had to deal with a lot of things in this phase, and he revealed that once there was a time when he considered walking away from the sport. Speaking about his struggles in an interview with the Italian state broadcaster RAI, he revealed, “I remember before the Australian Open this year, it wasn’t a very happy time. I didn’t really feel comfortable in the locker room, where we were eating. Players were looking at me differently. I said to myself: ‘Maybe, I need to take some time off after Australia.’ I didn’t want (the ban) though. I had a tough time accepting these three months.”

That was the time when he felt like giving up, and he also admitted that he didn’t feel comfortable in the locker room, where he went to eat. “The players looked at me differently, I didn’t like it.” However, according to various reports, in order to make him and his family feel more comfortable at the Italian Open, he will be provided a ‘Fort Apache.’

Several reports suggest that at the Italian Open, he’ll be provided a separate area for his coach and family to “feel at home“.  According to Binaghi, “We will create a Fort Apache for him because we believe he should be protected and should relax and prepare for his matches using as little energy as possible.” Needless to mention that this huge home support will do wonders to his confidence but what are his chances of excelling at the Italian Open and also at the French Open?

American Tennis Legend Shares His Verdict on Jannik Sinner’s Upcoming Clay-Court Tournaments

Jannik Sinner has a 100 per cent win-loss record (7-0) this season, but it has been a long time since he played a competitive match. However, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italian legend Adriano Panatta said, “Sinner is ready for Rome, a break can sometimes do good. “I am convinced that Jannik has used this period to improve his game on clay and has not lost his physical shape. They tell me that he has trained a lot and fortunately, he has also maintained the top of the ranking.” He is very optimistic about Sinner, and he doesn’t believe three months is a very long gap. What does Andy Roddick have to say on this?

Well, Roddick believes that Jannik Sinner will be welcomed “like a king” in Rome, and according to him, there is no better place to return after the suspension. Sinner didn’t take part in the Italian Open last year due to a hip injury. Talking about his chances at the 2025 Italian Open, the American legend claimed, “I thought he looked great on the clay last year, we kind of forget that he was a set away from beating Carlos Alcaraz in the semis of Roland Garros last year, so I think he’ll be fine long term.”

He also added, “Will he have jitters in Rome in front of the home crowd? Remember he didn’t get to play in Rome last year either, so since he’s become the Jannik Sinner, the legend Grand Slam winning number one Jannik Sinner, he hasn’t played in Rome, so there are obviously going to be jitters.” What about his chances at the French Open then? Well, according to Roddick, Sinner came pretty close last year, he’s surely “capable” of doing wonders here, despite knowing clay isn’t his best surface.

However, before the French Open, Jannik Sinner is also expected to take part in the Hamburg Open, which generally takes place a week before the mega clay court event. So, he’s leaving no stones unturned. Do you think Sinner can continue his winning run by getting a winning start at the Italian Open?