Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are both set to return in Rome for this year’s Italian Open.
The world number one hasn’t been seen on court since Sinner received a three-month suspension from tennis after winning the Australian Open in January.
Sinner will return in Rome, as the home fans eagerly anticipate their hero’s first match back.
The Italian’s biggest rival, Alcaraz, has also missed time recently, after sustaining an injury during the final of the Barcelona Open.
Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open, but will return for the final clay Masters 1000 event of the year.
During his pre-tournament press conference, Alcaraz said what he ‘hopes’ will happen at the Italian Open.
Carlos Alcaraz ‘hopes’ he will play Jannik Sinner in the final of the 2025 Italian Open
Speaking to the media, Alcaraz gave his verdict on Sinner’s return to tennis in Rome.
“It is great. Honestly, I’m really happy to have him around again. It’s been three months,” he said.
“Obviously, for him, [it] was tough, and I’m pretty sure [it] was super long. But yeah, I just think it wasn’t a better place to come back than here in his home, for him here in Rome.
“It is great for me, for the tennis, for the fans to have him again around, that he’s able to play a tournament again.”
Alcaraz then revealed what he wants to happen in Rome, with Sinner now back in action.
“We are on different sides of the draw. Hopefully I’m going to meet him at the final,” he said.
“But just what I want to say is I’m really happy to see him, his team around. I think, yeah, I’m going to enjoy watching him play again, his matches. For the people, I think it’s great.”
Sinner’s route to the title was analyzed by former world number one Jim Courier recently, who described it as the ‘worst possible draw’.
Jannik Sinner’s potential route to the Italian Open title
- 2R – Mariano Navone
- 3R – Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- 4R – Francisco Cerundolo
- QF – Casper Ruud
- SF – Taylor Fritz
- F – Carlos Alcaraz
Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo was pointed out as a potential ‘danger’ for Sinner in the fourth round, having picked up more wins on clay than any other player in men’s tennis in 2025.
Alcaraz doesn’t have the easiest route to the final either, and could be faced with a tricky rematch against an in-form Jack Draper in the quarterfinals.
Carlos Alcaraz’s potential route to the Italian Open title
- 2R – Dusan Lajovic
- 3R – Alex Michelsen
- 4R – Grigor Dimitrov
- QF – Jack Draper
- SF – Alexander Zverev
- F – Jannik Sinner
Fans will likely join Alcaraz in ‘hoping’ to see him take on the returning world number one in the final, in what would be their 11th career meeting.
Alcaraz got the better of Sinner in their most recent ATP clash, as the Spaniard took victory in a Beijing thriller.
Carlos Alcaraz says he is feeling 100% ahead of the Italian Open despite recent injury problems
The world number three went on to update fans on his injury status ahead of the Italian Open
“Yeah, I’m really happy to be here in Rome. Is the second time that I’m going to play here, so I’m excited,” said Alcaraz.
“The practices were great so far. Yeah, I’m in good shape. I’m 100% ready to start the tournament. So I just can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Alcaraz played practice sets with Alex de Minaur and Alexander Zverev in the lead-up to the tournament and looked in good shape against both top-ten players.
The Spaniard said he was never ‘worried’ about the injury and reiterated just how excited he is ahead of his opening match.
“I just tried to recover from the injury, which I wasn’t worried [about] at all,” said Alcaraz.
“Right now, yeah, I have confidence. The practice has been good. Just excited to start the tournament.
“Obviously, I would say the first round in every tournament is never easy, you have to get used to the conditions, the tournament, the court, everything. But yeah, I’m just excited. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Alcaraz will begin his Italian Open campaign against Dusan Lajovic, while Sinner takes on Mariano Navone in his opening match.
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