Jannik Sinner is set to make his long-awaited return to tennis at the 2025 Italian Open in Rome.
The world number one began his season with a title in Melbourne, when Sinner beat Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open final.
He hasn’t appeared on the ATP Tour since, however, as the Italian served his three-month suspension from tennis.
Ahead of his return, Sinner trained with Lorenzo Sonego in Monte-Carlo with the latter fulfilling a promise he made to the three-time Major champion earlier this year.
Sonego has now shared his thoughts on Sinner’s level, just days out from his opening match in Rome.
Lorenzo Sonego says fans should expect Jannik Sinner to be ‘an even stronger champion’ when he returns
During an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, world number 44, Sonego was asked what fans should expect to see from Sinner at the Italian Open.
“An even stronger champion,” he said.
“He has a crazy desire to compete. He can’t wait to get back to what he loves, to feel the adrenaline of the match.
“He is a very competitive guy. Staying away from tournaments must not have been easy, also because it wasn’t right that he was out. I saw him ready, eager to give everything as he has always done.”
The Italian also explained how Sinner ‘tested’ him during their training session in Monte-Carlo.
“It’s been a while since I played at such a high pace for such a long time, it really put me to the test,” said Sonego.
“It’s the privilege of being able to train with the world number one.
“These days have been important for me too, to give me an extra boost. I needed to work at this pace for a week.”
Sonego then recalled how his training session with the world number one came to be.
“I had already said in the past that if he needed to train, I would be there,” he said.
“He knows he can always count on me.
“Since I finished early in Madrid, [Simone] Vagnozzi called my coach [Fabio] Colangelo.
“It was exciting to hug each other again, we hadn’t seen each other for a while. We are friends, and we are two simple people; the harmony is immediate.”
The 29-year-old then revealed who he plans to play doubles with at this year’s Italian Open.
“With [Lorenzo] Musetti,” said Sonego.
“You know, I only play with the top ten.”
Sonego is scheduled to take on a qualifier in his first round match in the Italian Open singles, while the doubles draw is yet to be made.
Is Jannik Sinner the most prolific champion in tennis?
Sonego said fans should expect to see ‘an even stronger champion’ in Sinner when he returns to tennis in Rome this week, but just how strong a champion is he?
No player in men’s tennis currently holds more titles than the world number one, who is the reigning champion at six different events.
| Number of titles | Name | Titles |
| 6 | Jannik Sinner | Australian Open, US Open, ATP Finals, Cincinnati Open, Shanghai Masters, Halle Open |
| 5 | Carlos Alcaraz | French Open, Wimbledon, Monte-Carlo Masters, Rotterdam Open, China Open |
| 3 | Alexander Zverev | Italian Open, Paris Masters, Munich Open |
| 3 | Jack Draper | Indian Wells, Vienna Open, Stuttgart Open |
| 2 | Casper Ruud | Madrid Open, Geneva Open |
| 2 | Arthur Fils | Hamburg Open, Tokyo Open |
| 2 | Tommy Paul | Queens, Stockholm Open |
| 2 | Denis Shapovalov | Dallas Open, Belgrade Open |
| 2 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Adelaide International, Montpellier |
| 2 | Matteo Berrettini | Gstaad Open, Kitzbuhel Open |
| 2 | Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard | Basel Open, Lyon Open |
Sinner is the title holder at six different events, but perhaps more impressively, five of those six are ‘big’ events (Grand Slams, Masters 1000, ATP Finals).
His closest rival, [Carlos] Alcaraz, holds five titles, however, only three of which are considered ‘big’ titles: French Open, Wimbledon, and Monte-Carlo Masters.
No one comes closer to Sinner on the men’s tour, although women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka matches up with him pretty well.
Jannik Sinner’s titles
- Australian Open (Grand Slam)
- US Open (Grand Slam)
- ATP Finals (ATP Finals)
- Cincinnati Open (Masters 1000)
- Shanghai Masters (Masters 1000)
- Halle Open (ATP 500)
Aryna Sabalenka’s titles
- US Open (Grand Slam)
- Cincinnati Open (WTA 1000)
- Miami Open (WTA 1000)
- Madrid Open (WTA 1000)
- Wuhan Open (WTA 1000)
- Brisbane International (WTA 500)
The pair both now hold six titles, following Sabalenka’s win over Coco Gauff at the Madrid Open last week.
It remains to be seen if either player can add a seventh to their resume when they take to the court in Rome.
Sinner will take on either Mariano Navone or Federico Cina in his second-round match, while Sabalenka gets underway against either Dayana Yastremska or Anastasia Potopova.
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