Jannik Sinner has finally returned to tennis, winning his opening match at the Italian Open against Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-4.
Sinner had doubts before his first match back since suspension, but picked up where he left off, sweeping aside the Argentine in straight sets.
The world number one, playing in just his second tournament of the season, will now face Jesper De Jong in the third round of the Italian Open.
With the victory over Navone, Sinner extended his winning streak to 22 matches, having not lost since the final of the China Open in October, where he fell to Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner was welcomed back by a hot Rome crowd in his long-awaited return to tennis and delivered a performance that left the tennis world overjoyed.
Tennis fans are aligned over Jannik Sinner’s return to tennis at the Italian Open
The 23-year-old’s first match since the Australian Open has some tennis fans feeling like the game has been revitalised.
One fan took to X to say: “I don’t know if people realise how much Sinner IS tennis right now. He’s making this sport feel young again, alive again.”
Another fan said: “I have been following tennis all my life, I’ve never seen a welcome like this. Sinner mania is real, it’s not just his fantastic tennis, he’s a great competitor, humble and respectful.”
This fan commented: “Jannik Sinner is officially back, ladies and gentlemen, and it’s officially over for the rest of the tour. It’s Sinner’s era, and we are all living in it. He has an unmatched aura,” while another said: “The winning machine is back to do what he does best.”
Finally, this fan weighed in with: “Welcome back, Jannik. It’s truly nice to see you again on the tennis court, where you belong. People with kind hearts and intelligent minds have missed you. I hope you continue to bring all kinds of despair, frustration and misery to all those pathetic haters.”
Jannik Sinner’s ongoing winning streak dating back to October
Sinner has been out of the game for three months, but still remains on a lengthy winning streak dating back to the Shanghai Masters in October.
The Italian has won 22 consecutive matches since losing in the final of the China Open, winning three tournaments in the process.
Sinner won the Shanghai Masters, dropping just one set throughout the tournament, and defeating Novak Djokovic in the final.
He then went on to win the ATP finals, tearing through the group stage before overcoming Casper Ruud in the semi-final and Taylor Fritz in the final.
Sinner’s last tournament before the ban was the Australian Open, where he picked up his third Grand Slam title, while clinching his 21st straight win.
The world number one will look to extend his streak in pursuit of a 20th career title at the Italian Open.
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