Jannik Sinner says his absence from the Rome Masters earlier this year has made him even more excited to return to the ATP Finals in his native Italy.
The world No.1 is hoping to claim his first title on home soil since 2019 at the season-ending showdown which features the eight highest-ranked players in the world, except for Novak Djokovic who has withdrawn due to injury. Sinner reached the final of the tournament 12 months ago and is hoping to go one step further this time.
“Many things make [this tournament] special,” Sinner told ATP Media. “First of all, being an Italian and playing in Italy. I haven’t played in Italy this year, because I missed Rome. That was a really tough one, but I am even more excited and happy to be here.
“[My season] is very highly rated. I would have never imagined to win so many things this year. Many things have happened. Thinking back to how everything started in Australia… For me, it’s about always trying to improve as a player, as a person, as a human being. I’m even more proud and happy with how I am evolving. Hopefully next year it will also be this process of improvement.”
Sinner has claimed a Tour-leading seven ATP titles since January, including both the Australian Open and US Open. He has also won two ATP 500 events and three Masters 1000s. He has achieved a win-loss record of 65-6 with 12 of those victories being over top 10 opposition.
During what has been a breakthrough season, the 23-year-old has a chance to create more history by becoming the first player from his country to win the ATP Finals. He is already the first to have ever contested a title match at the event.
“The atmosphere is just amazing,” he said of playing in Turin. “It’s very different to other tournaments because you can lose and still win the tournament, so there are different scenarios. I’m just happy to be back here and hopefully I can show some good tennis.”
Alongside his success on the court, Sinner is locked in a battle away from the sport against the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Earlier this year, he failed two drugs tests after testing positive for the banned substance clostebol but was cleared to continue playing after the International Tennis Integrity Agency concluded he didn’t intentionally consume the substance following an independent hearing. However, WADA has submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the management of the case and is seeking a ban of up to two years. Sinner denies any wrongdoing.
“We don’t know anything yet (about the appeal),” he told reporters on Thursday.
“It’s not a pleasurable situation to be in but we remain optimists.”
Sinner will headline the Ilie Nastase group which will also feature Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz. His opening match will be against de Minaur on Sunday evening.
