Jannik Sinner to face top-30 rival in practice match ahead of much-awaited return at Rome Open

Italy’s Jannik Sinner is set to resume his tennis activities on Monday with a practice match. The 23-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the best players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category along with the likes of Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, is currently serving a three-month ban after reaching for failing two dope tests in March last year for banned substance clostebol.

The reigning world number one managed to escape any ban in the early phase of the investigation as The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) declared him innocent following a detailed hearing where his counsel claimed that the substance was available in the player’s sample because he came in close contact with his physio Naldi who used to spray for the treatment of a cut on his finger.

However, things turned ugly when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed against the ITIA’s decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and demanded a two-year ban for the three-time Grand Slam winner. The matter concluded in February when the two reached an agreement which saw the three-time Grand Slam winner staying out of action for three months. His ban is now set to end on Monday as he will restart his activities with a practice match ahead of his tournament opener at the Rome Open.

The ATP 1000 event is set to begin officially from May 07, but the qualifying round and the practice matches will begin on Monday. Reigning world number one Sinner will face the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka. The 23-year-old is coming into the competition on the back of a disappointing outing at the recently concluded Madrid Open, where he was knocked out after losing in the round of 64 to Britain’s Cameron Norrie with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-0. The match will be played between 05 and 07 PM local time on Monday, where fans will have free access to go and watch the best player in the world once again in action. The match will be a great outing for both players, who will be given a bye in the first round of the Rome Open.