Sinner confirms his intentions on his return: "My main goal is Paris"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 5 May 2025 | 17.20

Sinner confirms his intentions on his return: "My main goal is Paris." Photo: Getty Images.

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Jannik Sinner is back to feeling like a full-fledged professional tennis player. On May 4th, the three-month sanction imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency ended, reaching an agreement with the Italian. Now, the world number one returns to the circuit in the best possible place for him: the Rome ATP. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old has stated in his first press conference that his expectations for this tournament are very low, and his focus is on Roland Garros.

Some players talked to him after the sanction was announced

"Tennis is an individual sport, and everyone plays for themselves. But at the beginning of the sanction, I sought refuge in my team and my friends. Although I received surprising messages from some players, from others I didn't hear anything, but it's normal. Everyone wants to win, and now I want to take it step by step and I will meet them on the court."

The best and worst of returning to the circuit

"The nicest thing about returning will be stepping back onto a tennis court and seeing the people and fans again. But the worst will be the pressure and doubts about my level on the court. However, I am not afraid to step onto the court; I am just very happy to be here."

Grounded despite 'Sinnermania' in Italy

"I don't know where this madness comes from. I am just a 23-year-old guy who plays tennis. But for me, nothing changes; I accept things as they come. I just enjoy playing tennis, and success cannot change me. I always remember that I come from a town of 2,000 people, and coming back here to Rome in front of so many people is incredible."

Focus is on Roland Garros

"The main goal is Paris. These weeks will help me see what tennis I am playing. I am not here to beat everyone; I am here to challenge myself. Every match is difficult, and the start of a new tournament is always tricky. I have to keep in mind that it's one opponent at a time, but I am calm, physically well, and mentally recovered."

Happy with how these three months have gone

"I haven't changed anything from last year. If anything, I feel freer; I have realized that it's vital to be surrounded by the right people off the court. I have lived these three months at a different pace, with my friends and family. Everything has gone too well, and I am very happy with how we have managed everything because it wasn't easy."

The first weeks were tough

"During the sanction, some non-sporting things happened that were not easy, and I don't want to talk about them. But I understood that even if I didn't play tennis, I was still an important person, but I didn't pay much attention to it. I saw it in a very different way. Initially, it was all very confusing because I didn't know what to do with so much free time, and I came to understand what truly matters to me. Many people have helped me during these months. Now I am very happy to be here in Rome and see how the first tournament goes."

Struggled to accept the agreement

Personally, I am very happy that the sanction did not coincide with any Grand Slam. At first, I didn't want to reach an agreement, but it was all or nothing. It wasn't easy to accept the agreement because I know what happened, but sometimes you have to accept what's best at the worst possible moment. And I am very happy that it's over."

Couldn't watch sports

"The worst part was that at the start of the sanction, I couldn't watch any sports. I don't know how many people know this, but I couldn't go to a football stadium or watch a cycling stage. For me - that was very tough, but I tried to make the best of it during those moments to be prepared for my return. And now everything is fine."

Doesn't see himself as a favorite in Rome

"My expectations for this tournament are very low for me. I need to play to understand where my level truly is, and I think it will come gradually as I play more matches. After the first match, I will have an idea of my tennis and see where I stand. I have just arrived, so I haven't seen many colleagues yet. So far, everything is going well; it's a strange feeling to be surrounded by so many people again, and it's wonderful to be back."

A challenging 2024

"Last season was very tough for me - dealing with personal pressures, enduring everything without being able to talk to many people about what happened. At the beginning of the Australian Open, I suffered a lot, but this short break was good for me. Although now my body has to readapt to tennis."

Hardly followed tennis

"Honestly, I didn't follow the circuit at the beginning of the sanction. I didn't watch Indian Wells or Miami; I only knew the results. But I haven't watched much tennis, only from Madrid onwards and some players I was interested in seeing. I couldn't control anything that happened on the circuit. Some players have struggled; the new generation is getting stronger. For me, the most important thing is the 'Race' for Turin, and I am happy to be in a good position."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner confirma sus intenciones en su vuelta: "Mi objetivo principal es París"