Novak Djokovic has high expectations for Jannik Sinner when he returns to tennis at the Italian Open.
The 23-year-old has not played since January’s Australian Open after he was suspended for three months.
This is due to Sinner’s two 2024 positive doping tests for banned substance clostebol, and he cannot complete again until his ban ends on May 4.
Therefore, Sinner’s first tournament back will be the Italian Open, where he will surely receive a raucous welcome from his home fans.
Does Novak Djokovic think Jannik Sinner will win the Italian Open?
The Italian Open will mark the final Masters 1000 event before the French Open.
Carlos Alcaraz is set to compete at the Forro Italico for the first time since 2023, as will Jannik Sinner, as both players missed last year’s event due to injury.
The reigning Australian Open and US Open champion will be relishing the chance to step back on court after his suspension ends and to do so on home soil will give Sinner a huge boost.
Taking this into consideration and the form he was in before his suspension, Novak Djokovic predicted Sinner to win the Italian Open for the first time.
“I will take in Rome, Sinner,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion told Sky Sports. Casper Ruud shared a different point of view and went for a brand new Masters 1000 champion.
“I will go for a wild guess,” the Norwegian added. “Not wild because he’s really good but I think Arthur Fils has a chance to win a Masters 1000 on clay this year.”
Carlos Alcaraz thinks Alexander Zverev will defend the Italian Open title
Another player who shared his prediction for who will win the Italian Open is Carlos Alcaraz.
The Spaniard has yet to win a Masters 1000 title this season, and he will aim to win the Italian Open for the first time.
But when offering his prediction for the title in Rome, the Spaniard went with Alexander Zverev, who claimed the 2024 Italian Open title.
“I am going to go with Sascha Zverev,” the four-time Grand Slam champion said. “He plays well, so I will pick him.”
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