Jannik Sinner, the current World No. 1, is set to return to competitive tennis at the Rome Masters (Internazionali BNL d’Italia), which begins on May 8, 2025. This will be his first tournament following a three-month suspension due to a doping violation — a setback that briefly paused what has been a meteoric rise in the sport.

Suspension and Comeback

Sinner’s absence from the tour stemmed from a positive test for clostebol, a banned substance. Although initially cleared by authorities, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed, resulting in a negotiated three-month ban. The incident was ruled unintentional and attributed to contamination.

Despite the controversy, Sinner retained his ATP No. 1 ranking and was allowed to resume full training on April 13. Since then, he has been working intensely at the Monte Carlo Country Club and reportedly looks sharp in practice sessions with fellow pros like Jack Draper.

Road to Rome and Roland Garros

The Rome Masters will mark Sinner’s return to competition — a significant moment, not only because it’s his home tournament, but also because he missed last year’s edition due to a hip injury. His performance in Rome will be critical as he builds toward the 2025 French Open, which starts on May 26.

According to Italy’s Davis Cup captain Filippo Volandri, the enforced break has given Sinner time to physically recharge and mentally reset. The Italian star is said to be in excellent shape, with his trademark intensity and precision returning in full force.

Support Team Shake-Up

In the wake of the doping issue, Jannik Sinner has made some changes behind the scenes. His team now includes coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill, and he has added new members in fitness and physiotherapy to reinforce his preparation and recovery processes.

What to Expect

All eyes will be on Sinner when he steps onto the clay in Rome. As the youngest ever Italian to reach World No. 1, his comeback has generated anticipation throughout the tennis world. With the French Open fast approaching, fans are eager to see whether the break has sharpened his hunger or affected his rhythm.

What’s certain is this: Jannik Sinner’s return promises to be one of the biggest tennis stories of the year. His journey back begins in Rome — and all roads after that lead to Roland Garros.