Jannik Sinner comments on what fan behaviour has been like in his practice sessions as he releases statement ahead of his tennis return

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Jannik Sinner is just hours away from a return to tennis, having missed three months of action.

The world number one was on top of the tennis world in January, when Sinner won the Australian Open, clinching his third Major title.

Sinner was then handed a three-month suspension, which saw him miss four of the nine Masters 1000 tournaments of 2025 (Indian Wells, Miami Open, Monte-Carlo Masters, and Madrid Open).

The timing of the suspension did, however, allow Sinner to return at the Italian Open, his home tournament.

Fans have packed out the courts for Sinner’s practice sessions in Rome, eager to get a glimpse of their home hero in action.

Ahead of his opening match against Mariano Navone on Saturday, May 10, Sinner has released a statement, giving his verdict on the fans at the Foro Italico.

Jannik Sinner thanks fans for the ‘love’ they have given him in Rome ahead of his return to tennis

The 23-year-old shared a message to fans on his YouTube channel ahead of his return to tennis in Rome.

“Guys, the preparation is finally over,” said Sinner.

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for the last days. The support and the love you have given me, the happiness you have given me, and the joy has been amazing.

“So thank you so much for that, also coming to my practice sessions, it was only positive energy, and I want [you] to do the same thing in the match.”

Sinner then looked ahead to his Rome opener, predicting an ‘amazing’ return to action.

“Results-wise whatever comes out, comes out,” he said.

“Tomorrow is going to be my first match in some time, so whatever comes out, I am happy to be back again on the match court and share this moment with all of you.

“It’s going to be amazing.”

The Italian will take on Argentinian star Navone, who beat Sinner’s countryman, Federico Cina, to advance to the second round.

Navone, the ATP Tour’s 99th-ranked player, has won just a handful of matches at the Masters 1000 level throughout his career, and is yet to secure a top-ten win.

• 2024 Madrid Open 1R – Mariano Navone beat Alexei Popyrin, 7-5, 6-2
• 2025 Indian Wells 1R – Mariano Navone beat Learner Tien, 7-5, 6-4
• 2025 Madrid Open 1R – Mariano Navone beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 6-4, 6-4
• 2025 Italian Open 1R – Mariano Navone beat Federico Cina, 6-3, 6-3

He did, however, make history last year, becoming the first player to make their Grand Slam main draw debut as a seeded player when he entered the 2024 French Open as the 31st seed.

Only time will tell if the 24-year-old can make headlines once more by producing a stunning upset against the world number one.

When was the last time Jannik Sinner lost his opening match at an ATP tournament?

Sinner will be looking to avoid defeat in his first match back at the Italian Open, but when was the last time the three-time Grand Slam champion lost his opening match at a tournament?

635 days ago, at the 2023 Cincinnati Open, Sinner lost his opener against Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, 4-6, 6-7.

The result was particularly shocking as the number eight seed had won his maiden Masters 1000 title just three days earlier at the Canadian Open.

Since then, Sinner has been clinical in his opening matches, winning his previous 22.

22 is a number that could well be on the Italian’s mind in Rome, as a win over Navone would see his ATP Tour winning run extend to 22 matches.

Sinner lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Beijing final last October, but hasn’t suffered defeat since and will enter his second tournament of 2025, six months unbeaten.

It remains to be seen if Sinner can extend both winning streaks with a victory against Navone, but it’ll certainly be worth tuning in for.

Sinner will take on Navone for a place in the Italian Open third round in the final match of the day on Stadio Centrale.