Sports
Big Names Return as Italian Open Set to Kick Off
ROME, Italy — The Italian Open is just a day away from starting, and players are gearing up for action in the prestigious tournament. Among them is Jannik Sinner, who is making a comeback after serving a three-month doping ban. The 23-year-old is set to play his first match on Friday and is expected to be one of the early favorites to win in Rome.
“I’m looking forward to getting back on the court and competing,” Sinner said in a recent interview. “The past few months have been challenging, and I’m ready to hit the ground running.”
Casper Ruud, currently in fine form, will also be a strong contender. He recently won a match against Jack Draper and is hoping to maintain momentum at the Italian Open. Draper, on the other hand, aims to bounce back in this tournament, having entered the top five for the first time in his career.
World No. 7 Mirra Andreeva is not letting her ranking distract her. “I try not to pay attention to my position; I just want to focus on my game,” she said. The young player has enjoyed a breakthrough season and is optimistic about her performance at the Italian Open.
Meanwhile, concerns about drug testing in sports continue to surface. An unnamed player expressed being cautious about taking medical products due to contamination risks. “I worry about what could happen even in a restaurant; it’s hard to navigate,” she admitted.
Alexander Zverev responded to criticism regarding his performance, emphasizing that results come from hard work. “I’m still here because I’ve won tournaments,” Zverev said. “I believe top players find their form in big matches.”
As the excitement builds for the Italian Open, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka has returned to the court after maternity leave and captured her first title in four years, beating Kaja Juvan in the final of L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo, a significant comeback for the tennis star.
The tournament is expected to showcase a thrilling mix of emerging talents and seasoned veterans, making it a key event on the tennis calendar ahead of the French Open.
