Jannik Sinner provides fitness update ahead of the Italian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz after limping in his semi-final win

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Jannik Sinner is looking to cap off his brilliant return from suspension with a title in Rome.

World number one Sinner was suspended from tennis for three months following his Australian Open win in January, which saw him miss the first four Masters 1000 tournaments of the year.

Returning in Rome for his home Italian Open, the 23-year-old carried on where he left off, beating Mariano Navone, Jesper De Jong, and Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets.

Producing one of the best performances in recent memory, Sinner then beat Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud 6-0, 6-1, to book his place in the semi-finals.

There, Sinner battled back from a set down to knock out America’s Tommy Paul, 1-6, 6-0, 6-3, advancing to the final where he’ll take on Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner looked to be struggling with injury at points during the match, as he now updates fans on his health ahead of the final.

Jannik Sinner says he is ‘100% not concerned’ about his fitness ahead of the Italian Open final

During his on-court interview, Sinner shared details on the injury he’s been struggling with in Rome.

“Since the third round I have a small blister under my feet which doesn’t allow me that well to move at some moments,” he said.

“Today I felt it more than yesterday, and it’s connected with that.”

The Italian isn’t concerned ahead of the final, however, and insisted the adrenaline will help him on Sunday.

“Likewise, I am not concerned. Just a bit tight,” said Sinner.

“It’s normal but I have to take care of this blister.

“But there are no excuses, with the adrenaline, there is going to be a lot of energy on Sunday, and I am 100% not concerned.”

He’ll need to be fully fit to secure a win over his biggest rival in the final, against whom he trails the head-to-head, 4-6.

Sinner’s most recent ATP Tour defeat came against Alcaraz in the final of the China Open last October.

He’s won 26 consecutive matches since, a run that has spanned five tournaments and 226 days.

• 2024 Shanghai Masters – 6 wins
• 2024 ATP Finals – 5 wins
• 2024 Davis Cup Finals – 3 wins
• 2025 Australian Open – 7 wins
• 2025 Italian Open – 5 wins

Only time will tell if he can add a 27th win to his tally when he takes on Alcaraz for an 11th time in the Italian Open final.

Jannik Sinner and Jasmine Paolini look to end 40 year wait for Italian glory in Rome

The nation of Italy has never been more successful in tennis than it is today, as the stars of the ATP and WTA Tour continue to impress.

Italy are two-time defending Davis Cup champions, while the women’s team won the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time in 11 years in 2024.

Jannik Sinner has won three of the past five Grand Slam titles, and Jasmine Paolini reached two Major finals last season.

The poster boy and poster girl of Italian tennis are both just one win away from making history as they prepare for their maiden Italian Open finals.

They’ll head onto Stadio Centrale this weekend looking to become the first Italians to win the singles title in Rome this century.

Adriano Panatta was the most recent Italian champion on the men’s side, clinching the 1976 title 49 years ago.

In the women’s game, Raffaella Reggi was the last Italian to lift the trophy, doing so 40 years ago, in 1985.

The pressure will be on both players to end the drought, but with the Rome crowd cheering them on, you wouldn’t want to bet against them.

Paolini will take on Coco Gauff in the women’s final on Saturday, May 17, before Sinner takes on Alcaraz on Sunday, May 18 in the men’s final.