Jannik Sinner embraces ‘one opponent at a time’ mentality for his Roland Garros preparation at the Italian Open

Jannik Sinner has revealed that Roland Garros is his ultimate goal for the clay court season. The Italian is returning to action after a three-month doping suspension as part of an agreement with WADA.

Sinner, the World No.1, believes he is returning to the Rome Masters to challenge himself. He wants to use the Italian Open as preparation for Roland Garros.

The main goal is Paris. These weeks will help me see what tennis I am playing. I am not here to beat everyone; I am here to challenge myself. Every match is difficult, and the start of a new tournament is always tricky. I have to keep in mind that it’s one opponent at a time, but I am calm, physically well, and mentally recovered.

Jannik Sinner said in his pre-tournament press conference (H/T: Punto de Break)

The clay court season was one of the lowest points in Sinner’s otherwise successful 2024. The 23-year-old failed to win any clay-court titles and lost in the Roland Garros semifinals to Carlos Alcaraz.

He spent most of the clay court season on the sidelines after injuring his hip. Eventually, he had to withdraw from the Rome Masters as he was unable to recover in time.

Jannik Sinner reflects on the challenges in the 2024 season

World No.1 Jannik Sinner discusses the internal and external battles he faced in 2024. The Italian managed to finish as World No.1, but it wasn’t without its fair share of difficulties.

Last season was very tough for me – dealing with personal pressures, enduring everything without being able to talk to many people about what happened. At the beginning of the Australian Open, I suffered a lot, but this short break was good for me. Although now my body has to readapt to tennis.

Jannik Sinner said in his pre-tournament press conference

Sinner comfortably beat Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev to claim the top spot in the ATP rankings. He won two Grand Slam titles, three Masters 1000 titles, and the ATP Finals.

Moreover, Sinner won the Davis Cup title for the second time with Italy. Italy defeated Spain in the 2024 Davis Cup final.

However, Sinner faced problems due to a doping scandal. News of it leaked to the press in August after he tested positive for clostebol in March.

Jannik Sinner handed a tough draw at Rome Masters 2025

The Italian Open men’s singles draw is out. Jannik Sinner is back on court for the first time since winning the Australian Open. He missed three months due to a doping ban, which ended on Sunday. Now, he returns to play in front of his home fans in Rome.

Sinner has a bye in the first round. In his first match, he will play either Mariano Navone or 17-year-old Italian Federico Cina. If he wins, he could face the 25th seed, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, in the third round. A fourth-round match against 15th seed Frances Tiafoe may follow.

In the quarter-finals, Sinner might meet sixth seed Casper Ruud, who just won the Madrid Open. Ruud could first play Matteo Berrettini in the third round, if Berrettini is fully fit. Before that, Ruud might also face 12th seed Ben Shelton in the round of 16.

Fourth seed Taylor Fritz is also in Sinner’s half of the draw. Fritz may face Gabriel Diallo in his first match, then 30th seed Hubert Hurkacz in the third round. He might meet Andrey Rublev or Jakub Mensik in the fourth round. Fritz shares his quarter with seventh seed Alex de Minaur.