“After the first-round match, I’m going to have a good picture of myself and where I’m at,” a determined Jannik Sinner said in a pre-event press conference ahead of the Italian Open in Rome. Following a three-month suspension from professional tennis, the World No.1 and 2025 Australian Open king is set to kick off his campaign on Friday. While he was missing in action for a long time, his avid followers still believe the Italian will have no issues in making a dominant return in front of the home crowd. In fact, the Fox has already emerged as a top choice for lifting up the winner’s trophy!

For the uninitiated, Sinner was handed a three-month ban following the doping controversy. Back in February, WADA announced in a statement that he would stay away from professional tennis. The agency made it clear that he “did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage.” However, WADA also underlined that “an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence”

The suspension was implemented from February 9 to May 4 – now it’s officially over. Sinner made a return to official practice sessions from April 13, hitting shots alongside the Brit and his former doubles partner, Jack Drape,r at the Monte Carlo County Club. Before kick-starting his Rome journey this week, Sinner did confess that he’s not fully sure of his prospects at the Italian Open this season. He said, “I have low expectations for this tournament, I want to see where my level is.”

Well, there’s another key reason behind Sinner not anticipating a solid performance in Rome. Historically, this ATP 1000 Masters event hasn’t proved to be his favorite, despite taking place at home. He’s appeared in five overall campaigns in this tournament so far. Out of them, his best run came during the 2022 edition.

Three years ago, the Fox succeeded in reaching the quarterfinal round at the Italian Open. However, he couldn’t go beyond after losing to Greek pro Stefanos Tsitsipas. The latter ousted him in straight sets with a score line of 7-6, 6-2. Speaking of the rest of his experience in the home event, Sinner crashed out in R32, R16, and then R32 again in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

His last appearance in Rome was in the 2023 edition, where he failed to move past the R16. Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo beat him in three sets with a score line of 6-7, 6-2, 6-2. But guess what? The past record doesn’t matter for hardcore admirers of the Fox. They seem pretty much confident that Sinner will emerge as the last man standing in Rome this month.

Fans scream Jannik Sinner’s name as a potential Italian Open winner

While making predictions for men’s and women’s singles champions in Rome, one user wrote, “Jannik Sinner will win the men’s draw. The field is just too weak. I’m not buying any of this downplaying talk. Impossible to predict the women… I’ll say Paolini for a double Italian win so that everyone in Italy is happy.” Yes, Sinner’s arch rival Carlos Alcaraz is also competing in Rome, but he’s hardly had any experience here. His only campaign came two years ago, in 2023. Back then, the Spaniard crashed out in R32.

The only tough competition to Sinner could have been 24-time slam king Novak Djokovic. Why? The tennis GOAT has won the Italian Open six times already in the past. But this time, he won’t appear after withdrawing from the event. His decision came last month, after a poor run in recent ATP events. In his last campaign, in Madrid, Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi ousted him in straight sets (6-4, 6-4).

Meanwhile, another fan chimed in while predicting, “I think Sinner takes down his return tournament, and for the women I’d love to see a return to form for Iga!” On the WTA side, Iga Swiatek’s been a clear favorite in recent years. Since beginning her journey in Rome in 2020, she’s already won it thrice. Last season, too, the Pole emerged as the champion after defeating Aryna Sabalenka.

Another fan simply wrote, “Sinner (although Carlos is a favourite 🤞🏼🍀)”. They suggested that the Spaniard may also end up making a deep run while clinching the title, too. Especially given his form in 2025. The four-time slam winner has won two ATP trophies already, in Rotterdam and then Monte Carlo. Plus, he also reached the final of the Barcelona Open last month. Moreover, other admirers of the Italian think he will be the last man standing no matter what. One individual echoed, “Jannik. Sinner.” and another person wrote, “I think Jannik Sinner.”

What are your thoughts on the three-time slam champion’s prospects in Rome? Will he win his maiden trophy at this 1000-level event to elevate his confidence ahead of the 2025 Roland Garros? Let us know in the comments below.