Jannik Sinner wins and doesn’t hide: "Happier? Impossible"

Jannik Sinner returns to the court with a big win, earning him access to the third round of the Internazionali d’Italia 2025. At the Foro Italico in Rome, the South Tyrolean ruled in two sets Mariano Navone (6-3, 6-4 the score) deserving the challenge with Jesper de Jong in the next round. Huge was his satisfaction and excitement, as emphasized in the hot interview after the match that sanctioned the official return to action of the ATP circuit number 1.

“Honestly, I think the coolest thing was just getting back on the court – explained Sinner in no uncertain terms to the microphones of ‘Sky Sports‘ – and finding myself in an incredible situation again. However making the first game in Rome, at the center court of the Foro Italico with a full stadium is incredible. To be happier than I am now is almost impossible. We waited three months, we prepared so much. My tennis obviously can improve, however as a first match it was very good for me”.

Sinner then revealed how he experienced the challenge with Navone, especially emotionally: “I always felt in the match, today my main goal was to control myself and my emotions. I tried to stay calm and cool, which I managed to do. I also could have played better, however, this is the first match that comes back to give me some feedback. These are precisely the aspects I am looking for, tomorrow is a day off and I can use it to train on certain aspects that will come in handy for the next game”.

There was no shortage of more technical reflections. “He likes to play with the cross backhand, so it was important to attack him with the long backhand. I wanted to break his game, but the longline backhand is important for me regardless of my opponent because then I get the ball on my forehand. Today sometimes I missed it’but it”s a shot I like,” Sinner stressed.