Sinner Awaits Potential Showdown with Ruud in Rome

Jannik Sinner returns to tennis at the Rome Masters after a three-month doping ban, potentially facing Federico Cina or Casper Ruud in early rounds.

Jannik Sinner, Italy's world number one tennis player, may face teenage compatriot Federico Cina when he returns from a three-month doping ban at the Italian Open. Sinner has received a bye into the second round.

Sinner's potential opponent will be the winner of Cina's match against Argentine player Mariano Navone. The 18-year-old Cina's performance will determine Sinner's second-round opponent.

Jannik Sinner returns to tennis this week after a three-month doping ban, which followed an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after testing positive for clostebol in March last year. WADA accepted that the contamination was accidental and Sinner gained no competitive advantage.

Jannik Sinner steps on court for his first practice in Rome.

So much love from the crowd.

Return of the King.

🇮🇹🦊

pic.twitter.com/ZMEWySnumy

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 5, 2025

The 23-year-old hasn't competed since winning the Australian Open earlier this year. Sinner's potential quarter-final opponent could be Casper Ruud, with Carlos Alcaraz unlikely to be on his side of the draw before the final.

Alcaraz's Potential Opponent

World number three Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn injured from the Madrid tournament and hasn't yet arrived in Rome. If he advances, he could face Britain's Jack Draper in the quarterfinals.

Draper, who was runner-up to Casper Ruud in Madrid, remains in contention for a potential matchup with Alcaraz in Rome.