Italy’s world-number-three tennis ace Jannik Sinner launched an impressive comeback on the courts last Friday. It was a straight-sets victory against Argentina’s Pedro Cachín Navone in his first-ever game back since being out through injury at Rome’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Sinner had not played due to a small ailment, forcing him to stay home in Madrid, but seemed none the worse on returning to competition action.
Asked if he was impressed with his performance, Sinner acknowledged that even he was surprised: “I was surprised how things can change so quickly. I tried to give everything I have. I think that’s the only thing I can do and the only thing I can control right now.”
Despite it being his first game in weeks, Sinner gave little indication of rust. He glided effortlessly around the baseline, served with precision and power, and stayed mentally focused, even after being broken in the second set.
“There are ups and down sure. It’s natural,” Sinner said. “But [Navone] also played super tennis, particularly when he broke me in the 2nd set. Trying to accept that and trying to work again.”
That ability to embrace setbacks and immediately turn his mind to self-improvement is now one of Sinner’s hallmarks. At only 23, he is still developing into a player who can hold his own among the world’s best on any surface.
A Confident Return from Injury For Jannik Sinner
Sinner’s victory in Rome is timely in the tennis schedule as players build up to the French Open later this month and Wimbledon soon after.
His relaxed, measured post-match remarks indicate that he’s being process-focused. “Now I have some good feedback and hopefully I can work on that,” he concluded.
The Roman home crowd welcomed Sinner back, and his win over Navone may be the start of another clay-court deep run. As he gains rhythm and confidence, tennis fans will be eager to see if Italy’s golden boy can add another title to his expanding résumé.