Sinner ready to rise in Rome after limbo

JANNIK Sinner is the star of the show at the upcoming Rome Open as the world No 1 and Italian tennis hero gears up for his return to the courts after a contested doping ban.

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Away from the game since agreeing a suspension with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) in February, Sinner was welcomed back to action on Monday by thousands of fans who watched his first training session at the tournament on centre court at the Foro Italico.

Such is the interest in Sinner, who has become a national hero in Italy since rising to the top of the men's game, that Sky Sport broadcast the practice match with world No 38 Jiri Lehecka live on tTV.

All eyes will be on the 23-year-old, as he hasn't swung a racket since retaining his Australian Open title in January, a victory which took his Grand Slam tally to three.

“I'm very happy, happy to be back here. It has been a very long, long three months,” Sinner said in a packed conference room inside the centre court.

Fans in Rome have waited two years to see Sinner play their clay court tournament after he missed last year’s edition, won by Alexander Zverev, with injury.