World No 1 Jannik Sinner came back with a bang as he dispatched Mariano Navone in straight sets on his return to action from suspension at the Italian Open.
Sinner was met by a partisan capacity-crowd in Rome, having not competed since winning the Australian Open in January due to a three-month doping ban.
There weren’t too many signs of rust and it didn’t take long for Sinner to break his Argentine opponent on the way to a 6-3 first-set win.
Navone showed signs of fighting back in the second, with the pair trading three consecutive breaks before Sinner served out the set to claim a 6-3 6-4 victory - taking his win streak to 22, dating to October.
Relive all the action from Sinner’s return below:
Jannik Sinner vs Mariano Navone LIVE
- Jannik Sinner wins on his return to action following a three-month doping ban at the Italian Open
- Sinner hadn't competed since winning the Australian Open in January
- SET! Sinner picks up where he left off to secure the first set 6-3
- GAME, SET & MATCH! Sinner breaks twice in the second to beat Navone 6-3 6-4
Jannik Sinner gets the warmest of welcome backs
20:30 , Will CastleWatch as the Italian crowds welcome Jannik Sinner back to the tennis court in Rome 🇮🇹⬇️ pic.twitter.com/sHmidWZnYK
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) May 10, 2025
Jannik Sinner comes back with a bang in Rome
20:15 , Will CastleJannik Sinner is back! 🥕
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) May 10, 2025
The world No. 1 takes victory over Argentina's Mariano Navone to kick off his return in Rome 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/QO1XqJZu1p
Jannik Sinner 'never taking things for granted'
20:07 , Will Castle“For me it helped (to have an extra few days to prepare,” Sinner told Sky Sports. “When you come to a tournament, the atmosphere is different so it helped me.
“Especially on Centre Court, in night session, it’s an amazing feeling and a special feeling and I never take things for granted. I’m just happy to be back.”
Jannik Sinner reflects on a 'remarkable day'
20:02 , Will Castle“Amazing feeling, I’ve waited quite a long for this moment,” Sinner told Sky Sports. “I am very happy to be back.
“It’s very hard to have the right feedback when you don’t have matches, but that’s exactly what I need. Now I think the best practice is the match itself so I’m very happy about that.
“I’m very happy about the win today. It has been very difficult. He’s such a great player, especially on this surface. I tried to move around the ball, at times it went very well but it could have been better.
“But in any case it doesn’t matter about the result. Today has been a remarkable day for so I’m very happy.”
Now you can hear the crowd!
19:54 , Will CastleThe capacity crowd in Rome weren’t exactly vociferous for Jannik Sinner’s return - they seemed about as nervous as he was.
But as he sealed the victory, Centre Court erupted.
Maybe not the perfect performance, but Sinner is back with a win.
GAME, SET & MATCH! *Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-4 Mariano Navone*
19:49 , Will CastleThat’s how you finish it!
Sinner piledrives an ace through Navone to secure victory on his return!
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 5-4 Mariano Navone
19:48 , Will CastleMassive first serve from Sinner is met by a stretched return by Navone which flies long.
Navone responds with a much more ferocious return on Sinner’s next serve. The Italian goes to the net but can’t keep his volley in front of the bassline.
Sinner bounces back by forcing Navone into another long forehand - but with an opportunity at match point, he completely fluffs a volley, giving Navone the chance to fire cross-court and take it to 30-30.
Under pressure, Sinner keeps it steady as his forehand is met with a third wayward shot from Navone.
Match point...
BREAK! Jannik Sinner 6-3 5-4 Mariano Navone*
19:43 , Will CastleNavone has his head up and is playing Sinner into some dangerous waters here.
But after losing the first point, Sinner manages to overcome the pressure and takes control of the game.
A massive smash gives him a break point at 30-40, and he makes no mistake!
It’s a third break in a row - and Sinner will serve for the match!
BREAK! *Jannik Sinner 6-3 4-4 Mariano Navone
19:38 , Will CastleWell, Navone is making this interesting!
He goes 0-30 up off the back of being broken and could be about to bite right back.
However, Sinner plays a superb low volley from close to reduce the deficit, before tying the game with a fantastic forehand.
Navone responds by counter-punching his way through to give himself a break point.
And he breaks back! Despite being played from side-to-side, he stays alive and Sinner nets!
BREAK! Jannik Sinner 6-3 4-3 Mariano Navone*
19:33 , Will CastleThis will be pivotal.
Really strong clay-court work from Navone to dispatch a heavy forehand for advantage.
But Sinner bites back, turning aggressor and drilling a cross-court backhand past Navone to properly wake the crowd back up.
The home favourite then gets two more break point chances, but fluffs them both.
As he works Navone from corner to corner, a third arises as the Argentine clips the net. Can Sinner make the return this time?
He does! Navone goes long and Sinner gets the break in the second!
Jannik Sinner 6-3 3-3 Mariano Navone*
19:27 , Will CastleNavone has had his chances to break Sinner in this set, and despite his bouncy exterior, frustration might be beginning to set in.
Another unforced error sees him play into the net to start things off. He grows into the game a bit more but is getting played from side-to-side from Sinner.
With the score at 30-30, Sinner fires a bold shot down the line that comes off, giving him an opportunity to break.
This could be massive... but the chance goes awry! Sinner nets and we’re heading to deuce.
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 3-3 Mariano Navone
19:23 , Will CastleNavone is growing in confidence. He’s turning the aggressor on Sinner’s serve and forces the Italian back against the backboard to hit a wayward slice.
However, Sinner is able to keep steady with the score at 15-30, with Navone falling to an unforced error. The Argentine was well in that rally.
Sinner follows that up with an ace before Navone nets to hold. The World No 1 once again coming alright after being under pressure on serve.
Jannik Sinner 6-3 2-3 Mariano Navone*
19:18 , Will CastleSolid service game from Navone. He’s only been broken once today and looks good out there.
He holds again.
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 2-2 Mariano Navone
19:16 , Will CastleMuch better from Sinner.
The pair indulge in a really good rally before Sinner puts one into the corner for Navone to chase. Once again, Navone’s return goes up into the air and Sinner finishes him with a smash.
With advantage, Sinner turns defensive and manages to return a fierce backhand back down the line, which Navone can only net.
Sinner avoids being broken!
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 1-2 Mariano Navone
19:13 , Will CastleSinner tries to catch out Navone with a drop-shot to start things off - Navone gets there, but with Sinner not too far away, he returns with a drop of his own, which is promptly dispatched by the World No 1.
However, a couple of unforced errors sees the game locked at 30-30. Then another point goes Navone’s way.
The crowd has gone a bit tentative, even more now that Sinner faces being broken. But Navone doesn’t take the chance and hits a backhand into the top of the net.
To deuce we go.
Jannik Sinner 6-3 1-2 Mariano Navone*
19:07 , Will CastleSinner is once again happy to just trade and force Navone into unforced errors as he takes a 15-30 lead on the defence.
Navone responds well, with Sinner going just wide himself before a fantastic serve can only be met with a netted return.
The Argentine seals the game in convincing fashion, getting Sinner running before leaving him flat-footed with a forehand into the corner.
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 1-1 Mariano Navone
19:03 , Will CastleAn equally emphatic service game from Sinner who storms to a 40-0 lead in no time.
He slightly trips up with a forehand into the net, but with a chopper overhead, he shows no signs of distraction to pull off a delicate drop shot that Navone can’t reach.
Sinner holds.
Jannik Sinner 6-3 0-1 Mariano Navone*
19:00 , Will CastleImportant that after losing the first set, Navone gets off to a strong start in the second - and he does.
Never looked too in trouble as he holds.
SET! *Jannik Sinner 6-3 Mariano Navone
18:53 , Will CastleSinner gets the advantage before Navone goes wide with a cross-court forehand to give Sinner the first set!
The World No 1 is picking up RIGHT where he left off.
*Jannik Sinner 5-3 Mariano Navone
18:52 , Will CastleSinner sends Navone deep right to start off what could be a set-winning game. Navone goes for the ambitious fall-away lob but goes long as a Hail-Mary, but goes long.
The Italian concedes a point but then gets fortunate with a shot that just doesn’t come back up off the line, going right under Navone’s racket.
A double fault then follows from Sinner to put some extra pressure on, but a wonderful forehand into the corner gives him a set point.
However, a rather more wild effort goes long and wide, forcing deuce.
Jannik Sinner 5-3 Mariano Navone*
18:48 , Will CastleTwo unforced errors start off Sinner’s defence of serve, giving Navone a good chance to keep this set alive for one more game.
He then nets again as Navone holds. Quickest game so far, that.
*Jannik Sinner 5-2 Mariano Navone
18:44 , Will CastleLovely hop through a backhand as Sinner takes a quick 30-0 lead.
He then drives a backhand down the line that’s returned short by Navone, with Sinner pouncing and wrongfooting the Argentine with a volley to go on the verge of holding.
And after an ace was ruled out as a let, he makes easy work of Navone in open play.
Jannik Sinner 4-2 Mariano Navone*
18:41 , Will CastleA pretty strong service game from Navone. Some devastating cross-court shots and, other than one double fault, he largely played Sinner off the court.
Navone holds.
*Jannik Sinner 4-1 Mariano Navone
18:36 , Will CastleSinner is feeling very confident. He’s going for the small targets, ripping one along the line to put him on the verge of holding the fifth.
Navone manages to slide onto a drop shot with the game on the line and get his return past Sinner, making it 40-30.
But a stretched backhand gives Sinner an easy smash to take the game.
BREAK! Jannik Sinner 3-1 Mariano Navone*
18:31 , Will CastleReally clean backhand gets the ball rolling for the World No 1 in the third before Navone miscues to give Sinner a 0-30 leave.
He has Navone sprinting with another sharp cross-court backhand, setting up another winning point. Sinner has three break points.
A perfectly placed forehand from Navone reduces the deficit to 15-40 - but as he clips the net in the next point, Sinner is able to get the job done!
*Jannik Sinner 2-1 Mariano Navone
18:27 , Will CastleSinner gets advantage through an error from Navone.
He then forces Navone into a looping shot - and while he doesn’t finish him with his first smash, he does with his second.
Sinner avoids going a break down and holds.
*Jannik Sinner 1-1 Mariano Navone
18:25 , Will CastleWell, do not count Navone up. Some really strong play sees him go 0-30 up on the defence.
The Argentine then miscues a backhand to give Sinner a way in, before the Italian blasts a serve that although returned by the backboard, leaves Navone there for the taking.
Navone is staying aggressive though and pushes Sinner into the defensive zone, forcing a slice and punishing with a smash.
With a Navone on a break point, Sinner hits a backhand that looks destined to go long - but it catches the line and Navone follows up by hitting into the net. Deuce.
Jannik Sinner 1-1 Mariano Navone*
18:21 , Will CastleThe pair trade before Sinner goes for the big forehand winner, but he slightly miscues it.
With the advantage, Navone fires a fantastic forehand into the open space to hold. That’ll settle the nerves.
Jannik Sinner 1-0 Mariano Navone*
18:19 , Will CastleSinner is looking sharp. He’s deep on the defensive in the first point but repositions to fire a bullet backhand past a helpless Navone.
More patient play sees Sinner happy to trade before Navone hits into the net with a backhand slice. He’s got a good chance to break off the bat here, but Navone recovers.
From 0-30 down, Navone shows off his clay-court acumen and draws level in the game. Another good serve and he’s got game point.
But his next backhand goes long and we’ve got deuce.
*Jannik Sinner 1-0 Mariano Navone
18:15 , Will CastleSinner starts like he’s never been away. After going long with his first serve, he forces Navone from corner to corner before the Argentine goes wide with a return.
There are some nerves as Navone brings the game back to 40-30, but a forehand slice goes long to hand Sinner a first game back.
*Jannik Sinner 0-0 Mariano Navone
18:10 , Will CastleThe players are concluding their warm-ups...
Sinner won the coin toss and has elected to serve.
*denotes server
Here come the players!
18:02 , Will CastleA raucous ovation from the partisan Rome crowd as Jannik Sinner makes his return - the World No 1 is back!
There’s hardly an empty seat in the 12,500-capacity Centre Court.
T-minus 10 minutes until Sinner's return!
17:50 , Will CastleJust 10 minutes until we expect to see Jannik Sinner hit the court for his Italian Open return!
Will it be a straightforward affair? Or will Mariano Navone stun the home favourite?
Stay tuned for all the action from Rome.
Novak Djokovic criticises ‘favouritism’ in Jannik Sinner doping case after ‘strange’ punishment
17:45 , Will CastleNovak Djokovic heavily criticised the “strange” punishment for Jannik Sinner after his positive drugs tests last year and accused the authorities of “favouritism” in the doping case.
“There’s a majority of the players that I’ve talked to in the locker room, not just in the last few days, but also last few months, that are not happy with the way this whole process has been handled,” explained Djokovic.
“A majority of the players don’t feel that it’s fair. A majority of the players feel like there is favouritism happening. It seems like, it appears that you can almost affect the outcome if you are a top player, if you have access to the top lawyers.
“Jannik will have a three-month suspension due to some mistakes and negligence of some members of his team, who are working on the tour. This is also something that I personally and many other players find strange.”
Djokovic criticises ‘favouritism’ in Sinner doping case after ‘strange’ punishment
Rafael Nadal lauds Jannik Sinner for ‘keeping focus’ during doping case
17:30 , Will CastleRafael Nadal has described Jannik Sinner’s ability to retain focus on his tennis as “amazing”, despite the distraction of his doping case.
“We showed the world that we can be the biggest rivals but at the same time, we can be colleagues, we can have a good personal relationship,” Nadal said. “I think that shows a positive example to the next generations, I am proud of that.
“I think that helps this new generation to understand you don’t need to hate your opponents, you can respect, you can appreciate the opponent, because in the end they are an important part of your life, so you don’t need to hate opponents to give your best.”
Rafael Nadal lauds Jannik Sinner for ‘keeping focus’ during doping case
Tennis crown remains Jannik Sinner’s to lose but doping saga continues to cast a long shadow
17:15 , Will CastleLast Sunday, most eyes in the tennis world were on Madrid as Jack Draper and Casper Ruud faced off for the Masters 1000 trophy. But 4 May was also remarkable for being the final day of world No 1 Jannik Sinner’s suspension.
As of Sunday, he was officially allowed to play tennis again, over a year after two positive tests for clostebol set into motion one of the sport’s most unedifying sagas of recent times.
Flo Clifford delves into Sinner’s doping saga and his return to action:
Tennis crown remains Jannik Sinner’s to lose but doping saga continues to cast shadow
Two-time grand slam champion Max Purcell becomes latest tennis star to get doping ban
17:00 , Will CastleJannik Sinner has not been the only tennis star to be embroiled in a doping case as of late.
Australia's two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell has accepted an 18-month ban after breaching anti-doping rules.
Purcell admitted to a breach of rules relating to the use of a "prohibited method" after unknowingly receiving an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowed limit of 100ml in a 12-hour span and entered into a provisional suspension in mid-December.
Grand slam champion Purcell becomes latest tennis star gets doping ban
When is the French Open?
16:45 , Will CastleIt’s clay-court season, meaning we are well on the road to Roland Garros.
The French Open looks set to stage one of the most wide-open Grand Slams in recent years as Paris once again hosts the iconic tournament.
Here’s everything you need to know:
‘Genuine’ Jannik Sinner ‘doesn’t deserve any hate’, says Jack Draper
16:30 , Will CastleJack Draper publicly backed Jannik Sinner as the Italian prepares to make his return from a three-month doping suspension, saying he “doesn’t deserve any hate”.
“I think Jannik is a really, really genuine, nice person,” Draper, a personal friend of Sinner’s, told The Guardian and BBC Sport ahead of his own return to action at the Madrid Open last month.
“And on top of that, he’s obviously an unbelievable player. In this situation, I’m sure that he would have absolutely zero idea of anything. That’s just the way life goes – sometimes there’s mistakes.
“In terms of actually how I feel about him as a person, I think it’s important for people to know and recognise that the guy’s very, very kind-hearted and a good human being. So he doesn’t deserve any of the hate that he gets.”
‘Genuine’ Jannik Sinner ‘doesn’t deserve any hate’, says Jack Draper
Serena Williams' surprise over Jannik Sinner’s ban: ‘I would have got 20 years’
16:15 , Will CastleSerena Williams expressed surprise over the length of Jannik Sinner’s ban from tennis, joking that she would have been stripped of her grand slam titles had she failed a drugs test.
“I love the guy, I love this game. He’s great for the sport,” the 23-time grand slam champion said to Time magazine in praise of Sinner.
“I’ve been put down so much, I don’t want to bring anyone down. Men’s tennis needs him. [But] if I did that, I would have gotten 20 years. Let's be honest. I would have gotten grand slams taken away from me.”
Serena Williams admits surprise over Jannik Sinner’s ban: ‘I would have got 20 years’
Jannik Sinner considered quitting tennis before accepting doping ban
16:00 , Will CastleJannik Sinner revealed he considered quitting tennis before accepting a three-month doping ban.
The Italian was asked in an interview with state broadcaster RAI whether he considered giving up tennis and replied: “Yes, yes.
“I remember before the Australian Open this year, I was not in a very happy moment because there was still that case of doping.
“I didn't feel comfortable and then I said, maybe after Australia, a little bit of free time, in the sense where I take a little break it will do me good.”
.jpeg?trim=8,0,8,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Jannik Sinner considered quitting tennis before accepting doping ban
How are the Brits faring at the Italian Open?
15:40 , Will CastleEmma Raducanu and Jack Draper coasted into Italian Open third round yesterday, with both storming to straight-sets victories over Jil Teichmann and Luciano Darderi respectively.
There was no such luck for Cameron Norrie, however, who had no answers for 10th seed Daniil Medvedev as he was knocked out in the second round.
Jacob Fearnley, meanwhile, was knocked out by home favourite Matteo Berrettini this morning.
Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper coast into Italian Open third round
Jannik Sinner received ‘surprising messages’ from fellow players during doping ban
15:20 , Will CastleJannik Sinner revealed he received some “surprising messages” from fellow players during his three-month doping ban, with the World No 1 also admitting he was surprised by the players who did not reach out.
“At the start of the suspension I received some surprising messages from some players,” Sinner said ahead of his return at the Italian Open.
“Whereas there were others who I would have expected to hear from that didn't send anything. But I'm not going to name names."
Jannik Sinner received ‘surprising messages’ from fellow players during doping ban
Why was Jannik Sinner banned?
15:00 , Will CastleJannik Sinner has not played since winning the Australian Open in January for his third grand slam title after the Italian reached a resolution agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
WADA were initially pushing for a ban of between one and two years at the Court of Arbitration for Sport after he twice tested positive for a banned substance in March last year. However, Sinner reached a settlement of three months, with a senior WADA figure insisting the World No 1’s case was a “million miles away from doping”.
While Sinner admitted “partial responsibility” for the mistakes made by his team that led to him twice positive for traces of clostebol, WADA withdrew its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that asked for a ban of up to two years following the initial decision by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) not to suspend him.
Jannik Sinner's projected Italian Open draw
14:40 , Will CastleJannik Sinner is on a 21-match winning run, with his last defeat coming to Carlos Alcaraz in the China Open final last season.
Should Sinner progress past Navone, he could potentially face Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round and Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in round four. Cerundolo defeated Sinner at the Italian Open in 2023.
His projected quarter-final opponent is Madrid Open champion and two-time French Open runner-up Casper Ruud while Sinner is in a different half of the draw to Alcaraz, who is seeded third, behind World No 2 Alexander Zverev.
When will Jannik Sinner play his first match back?
14:20 , Will CastleThe Italian Open has confirmed that Jannik Sinner will play his first match of the tournament on Saturday May 10, taking to the court at around 7pm local time (6pm UK time) on Centre Court.
Jannik Sinner vs Mariano Navone LIVE
14:00 , Will CastleGood afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Jannik Sinner’s return to action at the Italian Open.
The World No 1 has not played since winning the Australian Open in January after being hit with a three-month doping ban - but gets back on the court tonight in front of a home crowd in Rome.
After receiving Sinner a bye to the second round as top seed, he will be welcomed back by Argentine player Mariano Navone in his opening match of the tournament, who beat Sinner’s countryman Federico Cina in straight sets in the first round.
Stay tuned for all the build-up and action from Sinner’s tennis return.
