Rusty Sinner back on court after doping ban

Thousands greet ace at practice session

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

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 in the capital city.

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 television.

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 told reporters in a packed conference room inside the centre court.