How Sinner's Suspension for Doping Changed Tennis World

A doctored photograph of Jannik Sinner is doing the rounds on social media.

- Shahid Judge

MUMBAI: It is a close-up of the tennis world No. 1's eyes, with a steely look of unwavering focus. "There is a moment when silence gives way to the echo of a new beginning," reads a translation of the caption. "That time is now." The image was published by the Italian tennis federation.

For a player returning to the tennis tour after serving a three-month doping suspension, Sinner is being handed a hero's welcome at the Italian Open—his home event. Over ten thousand spectators had bought tickets to watch his first open practice session on Monday, which was broadcast live on Italian television. Later he was felicitated, along with the rest of the Italian Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup-winning teams.