Jannik Sinner has cautioned that he has “low expectations” for his return to tennis at this week’s Rome Masters.
However, the world No.1 stated he still plans to compete for a third straight Grand Slam title at the French Open later this month. He also spoke about the tough circumstances that prevented him from seeing his favorite football team live.
The Italian’s three-month suspension for a positive test for a banned substance in March last year officially ended on Sunday.
At a packed press conference at the Foro Italico in Rome—his first ATP Tour event since the ban—Sinner received applause as it began.
Reflecting on his last match, which was the Australian Open final on January 26, Sinner said: “I have to say I have low expectations for this tournament. I’ve been sitting out for so long and I don’t have any feedback on how I’m going to play.
“The goal will be Paris, I’m not here to beat anyone but to try to get through the first round and then we’ll see what can happen. It’s difficult for me to start a new tournament and get back to the rhythm. But we’re very calm, we’re physically and mentally well, we’re rested, which will pay off at the end of the season too.”
Sinner accepted a three-month suspension as part of an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency in February.
“The hardest moment of the suspension was at the beginning,” he admitted. “I couldn’t attend any sporting event in real life. I don’t know how many people know this but I couldn’t go to the stadium to watch a football match or follow a cycling race of my friends. Or in motorsport. That for me was the toughest part. But all things considered, I tried to make the best of it. I was very glad also to spend time with my family.”
