Jannik Sinner is set to make his highly anticipated return to tennis in Rome, following his three-month suspension.
The world number one added a third Major title to his collection in January, when Sinner beat Alexander Zverev in the final of the Australian Open.
Shortly after, Sinner received a three-month suspension from tennis, forcing him to miss the first four Masters 1000 events of the year.
The timing of the ban does, however, allow him to compete in all four Grand Slams this year, as well as his home Masters event, the Italian Open.
Ahead of his return to action in Rome, two former ATP stars have shared their thoughts on how the Italian’s rivals will act towards him in the locker room.
Steve Johnson thinks some ATP stars are ‘not fond’ of Jannik Sinner ahead of his return from suspension
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, Steve Johnson said he is interested to see what the locker room will be like in Rome, as Sinner returns from suspension.
“I’m interested to see what the locker room is like because I do feel like there are some guys that are not fond of him, based on some of the other rulings that have come out in tennis and the favourability that some people feel he got in that case,” he said.
Johnson was also interested to see how the media would treat Sinner in Rome.
“I am interested to see how the media is going to react to him in post-match press conferences,” he said.
“Whether it is going to be softball questions or hard questions. I am wondering what direction they are going to take in that.
“I am just interested in what the media has to say or how they are going to frame his comeback.”
The 35-year-old then predicted how the three-time Major champion will perform at his home tournament.
“We know that at the US Open, when this news did break, he went out and won the US Open. He is going to be the home favourite, everyone is going to love him there,” said Johnson.
“Ultimately, I think he is going to be someone who does not skip a beat. He is going to go out and have a chance to compete for a Rome title.”
Former top-ten player Jack Sock agreed that Sinner would be one of the favorites in Rome, and said he doesn’t expect any ‘drama’ in the locker room.
“He’s probably the favourite to win even after three months, so it should be exciting to watch the tournament unfold and then watch him play in front of his home fans,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone is going to be weird towards him. I am assuming some players probably have their own thoughts and feelings inside. But, yeah, it is not going to be some drama or big thing.
“Especially playing in his home country, in front of his home fans, they are going to welcome him, I’m sure, with open arms and be overly excited to see him play.”
Fans in Rome have had to wait two years for Sinner to return to the Italian capital, as the world number one missed last year’s tournament due to injury.
Sinner took the time to sign autographs after his training session on Monday, ahead of his second-round match against either Mariano Navone or Federico Cina later this week.
What have other ATP stars said about Jannik Sinner and his three-month tennis suspension
The 23-year-old’s three-month suspension was met with varying opinions from his ATP Tour rivals.
World number five Jack Draper spoke out in defence of Sinner when the news broke earlier this year, ‘wishing him the best’.
“I know Jannik [Sinner]. He is a good friend. I know with this whole thing, I am sure he would not have done something intentional.
“I do not think it is good for the sport that the number one player in the world and someone who is doing incredible things is having a ban, but he will be back shortly, and I wish him all the best and hope he is going to be okay.”
Not everyone had positive things to say, however, as three-time Slam winner Stan Wawrinka questioned the fairness of tennis, when Sinner received his suspension.
“I don’t believe in a clean sport anymore,” he said on X.
One of Sinner’s harshest critics, Nick Kyrgios, took to social media in February, sharing his thoughts on the Italian’s ban.
“So you were innocent and we were getting fed that you were innocent but now you are suspended from playing the sport? Make it make sense,” he said.
“I’ve got multiple players in my DM’s on how putrid this is, even Grand Slam champions. Cooked.”
It remains to be seen if Sinner can silence the doubters and return to tennis with a big win in Rome.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
