Jannik Sinner enters final stretch before comeback with top-10 training and F1 gift

Thursday, 24 September 2026 at 23:30

jannik-sinner-practicing-miami-open-2026

Jannik Sinner is continuing to prepare for his return to competition, with the world No. 1 recently spotted training alongside fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli as his comeback at the China Open draws closer.

Sinner has been away from competition since winning Wimbledon in July, but his return to the court has already started to take shape. The Italian has been working in Monte Carlo as he builds towards his first tournament since the knee problem that ruled him out of the North American hard-court swing.

His comeback is now just a few days away, with Sinner expected to return at the China Open in Beijing on September 28. The tournament will also mark his first opportunity to compete since defeating Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final and claiming the fifth Grand Slam title of his career.

While Sinner continues his preparations on court, he has also received a rather more unusual reminder of his connection with Italy and Formula 1. A personalised helmet designed specifically for the world No. 1 was recently presented to him, adding a lighter moment to his final weeks away from competition.

Sinner trains with Cobolli in Monte Carlo

Cobolli has been one of the players helping Sinner prepare for his return, with the two Italians recently training together in Monte Carlo.

The sessions give Sinner the chance to gradually increase his tennis workload against another high-level player while continuing to monitor his physical condition. For Cobolli, meanwhile, training with the world No. 1 has become an opportunity to learn from one of the leading players on the ATP Tour.

Flavio Cobolli shared a picture of his training session with Jannik Sinner, from
yesterday! 🦊🇮🇹

📸 flavio_cobbo pic.twitter.com/94TuSCs24P
— jannik sinner files (@jannik_files) September 22, 2026

The 23-year-old has spoken highly of their time together and explained how much he tries to take from every opportunity to share a court with Sinner.

“We joked around a lot, it was really nice to find him again on the court,” Cobolli said to SuperTennis from London, during his preparations for the Laver Cup. “Every time I have the occasion I try to get the most out of the hours we play together. He's one of the people who teaches me the most, I am always up for it when it comes to training with him,” Cobolli said.

Cobolli has also established himself as one of the leading young Italian players on the ATP Tour. His presence in Sinner's preparations is therefore particularly useful as the world No. 1 works his way back towards competitive intensity.

Sinner's last appearance came at Wimbledon, where he defeated Zverev to win the title. He subsequently missed the Canadian Open, Cincinnati and the US Open because of the knee problem, making the work in Monte Carlo an important part of his build-up before returning to official competition.

Flavio Cobolli on traning with Jannik Sinner recently 🤝🏻❤️

"We joked around a lot, it was really nice to find him again on the court. Everytime I have the occasion I try to get the most out of the hours we play together. He's one of the people who teaches me the most, I am… pic.twitter.com/IDavsGamsn
— jannik sinner files (@jannik_files) September 24, 2026

Sinner receives a special F1 helmet

Away from the court, Sinner has also received a personalised Formula 1 helmet designed by Italian artist Massimo Dante. The helmet uses the colours of the Italian flag, while Sinner's full name is displayed on the side and his personal logo appears above the visor.

Dante has also worked with Formula 1 drivers Alex Albon of Williams and Sergio Perez of Cadillac. The gift adds another connection between Sinner and a sport that has become increasingly popular among tennis players and fans.

📍MCCC 🇲🇨

Today Jannik received a customized Helmet by Massimo Dante

🦊🏍 pic.twitter.com/6rxVLEbvla
— Janniksin_Updates (@JannikSinner_Up) September 21, 2026

It looks like Jannik Sinner finally got his motorbike license after failing the theory four times! 😭😭

📸 ducatinice pic.twitter.com/uv5AWSrHMm
— jannik sinner files (@jannik_files) September 24, 2026

For the world No. 1, however, the focus remains firmly on getting ready to compete again. His return will come at a tournament where Sinner is also defending the title. He won the China Open last year after defeating Learner Tien in the final, meaning his comeback will immediately involve ranking points and a significant title defense.

Jannik Sinner — China Open 2025 run

Round	Opponent	Opp. ranking	Score
R32	Marin Cilic	97	6–2, 6–2
R16	Terence Atmane	68	6–4, 5–7, 6–0
Quarter-final	Fabian Marozsan	57	6–1, 7–5
Semi-final	Alex de Minaur	8	6–3, 4–6, 6–2
Final	Learner Tien	52	6–2, 6–2

The Beijing field is also expected to provide a strong test. Eight players from the current top 15 are set to compete, including Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Cobolli. Sinner will therefore return directly into a tournament packed with high-level opposition after more than two months without an official match.

Read also

The China Open begins on September 28 and will provide the first real indication of where Sinner stands after his injury. For now, his training sessions with Cobolli in Monte Carlo and the gradual return to tennis-specific work suggest that the world No. 1 is moving closer to the competitive comeback he has been targeting.

After lifting his fifth Grand Slam trophy at Wimbledon, Sinner's next chapter will begin in Beijing.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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