“Now, he’s a normal player”: Jannik Sinner’s first opponent post-suspension embraces challenge

ROME, Italy—The atmosphere for Jannik Sinner’s return from a three-month suspension is likely to be the highlight of the week at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

Can No. 99-ranked Mariano Navone crash the party?

The 24-year-old Argentine got some practice against a partisan crowd on Thursday when he defeated Italian wild card Federico Cina, 6-3, 6-3 on Grand Stand Arena to book the meeting with Sinner.

“It’s always special when you play like this,” a smiling Navone told me after the match. “It’s like an NBA, home-away match! Of course, it was tough because Federico was such a good player and also many are in the crowd who want to see him and want him to win. There are many things under you, but it was a really special match because I’ve played at Grand Slams but this is one of the biggest stages outside that, making it a very special tournament for us.”

Navone’s match against Cina was his 20th of the season on clay; for Sinner, it will not only be his first on the surface since playing the semifinals of Roland Garros in June, it will also be his first since February, when he won the Australian Open.

Read more: A complete timeline of Jannik Sinner’s doping case

Sinner’s suspension stemmed from two positive tests for the banned substance Clostebol last spring. Though the International Tennis Integrity Association (ITIA) initially declined to suspend the three-time Grand Slam champion, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the ruling and Sinner ultimately accepted a settlement that required him to sit out the last three months—and miss four Masters 1000 tournaments.

“For me, look, last year was very difficult,” Sinner said in his pre-tournament press conference. “I had a lot of personal pressure, holding everything. I couldn’t talk with many people about what happened. I was in a tough situation at the beginning of the Australian Open. I struggled a lot, so it was nice to take a small break. Three months…but it is what it is. A small break was good. I could feel that I’m not playing for quite a long time.”

He stopped three months ago and this is his first match, so it’s not easy for him either. Mariano Navone on Jannik Sinner

Sinner described having low expectations in his return to the Foro Italico, mainly eager for the feedback opponents like Navone will give him on the court.

A two-time ATP finalist, Navone will be playing only his third match against a Top 10 player—he’s 2-9 vs. the Top 20—but has risen to the occasion in the past, pushing Rafael Nadal to a 7-5 third set last summer in Bastad.

“It’s like a challenge,” Navone told me. “It’s not often you have the chance to play against the No. 1 player in the world. So, it’s special for me. It would be the biggest victory of my career. But for sure, it’s challenge and I have to take it like that for me and my game.

“He stopped three months ago and this is his first match, so it’s not easy for him either.”

Navone called Sinner’s suspension “not my problem,” and described zero animosity towards the top seed in the locker room.

“Now he’s a normal player,” said Navone, who peaked at No. 29 in the ATP rankings in 2024.

“He stopped, he completed his suspension, and it’s really safe. He took some time. Three months is time. It’s tough to be out for three months, but he completed his suspension and that’s it.”

Navone will next look to have the last word on Saturday, in front of the biggest crowd of his young career.