Jannik Sinner is poised to return to action with renewed energy and a sharper edge, following a three-month layoff that Italian tennis icon Adriano Panatta believes has only enhanced the young star’s clay-court capabilities. The timing of his comeback couldn’t be more crucial, with both the Italian Open and Roland Garros looming large on the calendar.
The 23-year-old last stepped onto the court professionally in late January, when he outclassed Alexander Zverev in straight sets to claim back-to-back titles at the Australian Open. That victory further cemented his reputation as a major force on the ATP Tour and kept him perched at the top of the world rankings.
However, his season was abruptly interrupted in March when he was slapped with a suspension after testing positive for the prohibited substance clostebol. Though initially cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, a subsequent appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) led to a negotiated three-month ban that began on February 9 and ends on May 4—just in time for Rome.
While the ban sidelined him from major events like the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open, Sinner’s grip on the No. 1 ATP ranking held firm. Neither Carlos Alcaraz nor Alexander Zverev managed to seize the opportunity to overtake him in his absence.
Panatta, Italy’s 1976 French Open champion, remains confident in Sinner’s preparedness and believes the time away has worked in his favour. “Sinner is ready for Rome, a break can sometimes do good,” he remarked. “I am convinced that Jannik has used this period to improve his game on clay and has not lost his physical shape, they tell me that he has trained a lot and fortunately he has also maintained the top of the ranking.”
Panatta emphasized that a three-month hiatus isn’t long enough to derail a player of Sinner’s caliber. In fact, he believes the downtime was used strategically. “I repeat, I am very optimistic, three months is not a very long time. More would have been a problem, he has used this period to train in a certain way, improving his game and physique.”
Though the initial verdict cleared Sinner of fault—highlighting “no negligence” on his part—WADA’s pushback led to a plea bargain. In Panatta’s view, the decision to settle was a wise and pragmatic move. “He has nothing to do with the sanction, he did the right thing to accept the plea bargain because with WADA you never know where you’re going to end up,” he said. “He’s a very intelligent and mature guy, an example for all sports for his behaviour. Maybe he’s even too perfect.”
The anticipation in Italy is electric, with fans eagerly awaiting Sinner’s appearance in Rome. Despite being a national hero, he hasn’t made a deep run at the Foro Italico yet. Injury ruled him out in 2023, and his best performance remains a quarter-final finish in 2022. This year, though, could be a different story.
Panatta is convinced that Sinner’s Grand Slam credentials on clay are only a matter of time. When asked about his chances at Rome or the French Open, he didn’t hesitate: “Sooner or later he’ll win them, if not this year it will be next year. He’s mature enough to win everything.”
As the tennis world prepares to witness Sinner’s comeback, expectations are high—and for good reason. With his form, focus, and fitness aligned, the Italian star could well turn his enforced break into the foundation for a triumphant clay-court season.