Jannik Sinner 'surprised' himself as world No. 1 speaks out on first match after ban

claimed he was "surprised" with his own level after . The world No. 1 made a winning return to competition on home soil at the Italian Open, beating Mariano Navone 6-3 6-4 in front of a packed Campo Centrale crowd on Saturday night.

After the match, Sinner admitted it was the first time in a year that he could step on the match court without extra thoughts in his head, and he was keen to get back to work after passing his first test.

It was a significant night for the three-time Grand Slam champion. Not only was he returning from a three-month ban, but he was also back in Rome for the first time in two years after missing the 2024 Italian Open with an injury.

But he received a warm welcome onto the main stadium court at the Foro Italico, and the 10,500 fans broke out into chants of 'ole Sinner' throughout the night.

It wasn't the highest-quality match from the world No. 1, but he was still able to seal a routine victory in his first match since the Australian Open final in January. And he surprised himself after fending off a resurgence from Navone in the second set.

"I was surprised myself with how things can change so quickly as I tried to give everything I have. I think that's the only thing I can do, that's the only thing I can control right now," Sinner said.

"But the sensation has been quite good to be honest. It can be of course some ups and downs, it's normal. Also he played some great tennis, especially when he broke me in the second set. Trying to accept that and trying to work again. Now I have some good feedback and hopefully I can work on that."

Sinner still hasn't lost a match since October 2. Before his ban, he ended the 2024 season by lifting titles at the Shanghai Masters and the ATP Finals, then he helped Italy defend their Davis Cup title.

He retained his Australian Open crown in January before accepting a three-month suspension in a case-resolution agreement with WADA.

But the result didn't hugely matter to the top seed, who was just happy to be playing again. "Amazing feeling. I've waited quite long for this moment, I'm very happy to be back," he continued.

"I was saying now in Italian, it's very difficult to have the right feedback when you don't have any matches. But exactly that's what I need. Now I think best practice is the match itself. So I'm very happy about that, happy about the win today.

"It has been very difficult, he's such a great player, especially on this surface. I tried to move around the ball. At times it went very well, at times it could be better, yes. But in any case doesn't matter about the result today has been a remarkable day for me, so I'm very happy."

Sinner's doping saga started more than a year ago when he twice tested positive for the prohibited substance clostebol in March 2024. He successfully appealed both of his provisional suspensions and was allowed to keep playing.

In August, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced a "no fault or negligence" ruling in Sinner's case, accepting his explanation that he was contaminated via massages from his then-physio. But WADA appealed on the basis that he had some responsibility for any team members' negligence.

A hearing was set for April but, in February, Sinner and WADA announced that he accepted the three-month suspension as part of a case-resolution agreement.

And the world No. 1 admitted this was the first time in a year that he could play with a clear head. "I'm extremely happy. It's the first time after one year that I can play freely without any thoughts in my mind and it's good," he told Sky Sports.

"For me, in any case, doesn't really matter the result, I'm happy about that. The crowd gives me so much energy and positive things so I'm very happy."