Men’s tennis has been missing something without Jannik Sinner.
The world number 1 returns to his home country for the Italian Open this week, his first match in three months.
Sinner last played in the Australian Open, a tournament he won, before agreeing to a three-month suspension for doping.
The Italian has often been lumped in with Carlos Alcaraz as the two best players of their era. In the twilight of Novak Djokovic and the absences of Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, tennis’s next generation begins with Sinner and Alcaraz.
Now that Sinner’s ban is up, tennis fans are hoping for more epic battles between the two.
Alcaraz was asked about his rival’s return to Rome and had kind words to share about his foe.
“I’m really happy to have him around again. It’s been three months,” Alcaraz said. Obviously for him was tough and I’m pretty sure was super long. But yeah, just I think there isn’t a better place to come back than here in his home, for him here in Rome.”
MORE: Updated ATP rankings – world no. 1 returns
Alcaraz is 6-4 versus Sinner all time. He’s won the last three against the Italian: Beijing, French Open, and Indian Wells.
Carlos has applauded Sinner’s skill and proficiency, especially on hard court. But he says he wants to see him in the final.
“We are in different sides of the draw. Hopefully I’m going to meet him at the final,” Alcaraz said. “I’m real happy to see him, his team around. I think, yeah, I’m going to enjoy watching him playing again, his matches..”
🇪🇸🇮🇹 Carlos Alcaraz says it’s ‘great’ to have Jannik Sinner back:
“It is great. I’m really happy to have him around again. It’s been three months.
Obviously for him [it] was tough and I’m pretty sure [it] was super long. I think [there isn’t] a better place to come back than… pic.twitter.com/UDoOEEB5f2
— Olly Tennis 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) May 8, 2025
The Spaniard faces Serbia’s Dušan Lajović in the first round of Rome. Sinner will begin with Argentina’s Mariano Navone.
For all their accolades, neither player has won a Rome title. If all goes well, tennis fans will be treated to the top two players in the world meeting in the final.
