Italian Open reveal Jannik Sinner plan to 'protect' Italian from fans and rivals

Jannik Sinner will return to the court at the Italian Open

Jannik Sinner will have his own “Fort Apache” to shield him from fans and fellow players when he makes his return to tennis at the Rome Masters next week. The world No.1’s three-month ban for twice testing positive to a banned substance last year will end on Sunday. And the Italian superstar, currently training in Monte Carlo, plans to arrive in Rome on Monday to relaunch his career and begin his bid to win a third consecutive Grand Slam at the French Open. Sinner has not played since winning the Australian Open title on January 26. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

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But speaking this week before his return, Sinner told Rai Sport that he had not enjoyed his time in Melbourne - and had considered quitting the sport - with the uncertainty surrounding his case before punishment was agreed in February. “I remember the Australian Open this year,” he said. “I didn’t really feel at ease in the locker room, in the player dining area,” said Sinner. “There were some players that looked at me differently, and I didn’t really like it. “It’s heavy, to live tennis this way — I was always someone who joked around, who went in the locker room talking with this person, that person, anyone — and at that time I was a different person, I didn’t feel at ease. At that time I said to myself, maybe some time off after Australia, a break for a little bit, would do me good.”

Jannik Sinner has not played since winning the Australian Open

Sinner has always maintained his innocence - and he can expect “a king’s welcome” back in his homeland next week, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Over 400,000 tickets have been sold for the event and Sinner-Mania will hit the Italian capital after he missed the tournament with a hip injury last year. But the reigning US and Australian Open champion is to be granted a special suite away from the player’s lounge for his staff and family during the event. This is for security - and to allow Sinner to feel at home in every sense. Angelo Binaghi, President of the Italian Tennis Federation, said: “We will create a Fort Apache for him because we believe he should be protected and should relax and prepare for his matches using as little energy as possible”.

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