Jannik Sinner might not be appearing on court at the Italian Open, but he is certainly the flavour of the month off it.
Despite withdrawing from his home Masters 1000 event due to a hip injury, the world No 2 promised to still make an appearance at the Foro Italico – and delivered on Tuesday, much to the delight of a raucous home crowd.
The Italian – who many had hoped would become the first home men’s singles champion in 48 years, before his withdrawal – was mobbed by young fans as he made an on-site appearance.
The presence of the Australian Open champion will come as a huge boost to the tournament, who lost a significant level of star power when Sinner announced his withdrawal.
After withdrawing from his Madrid Open quarter-final due to a hip issue – which had bothered him throughout his run in the Spanish capital – Sinner confirmed his Rome withdrawal on Saturday.
All the love for @janniksin #IBI24 | @LaRochePosayInt pic.twitter.com/419y8f3iKa
— Internazionali BNL d’Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 7, 2024
On social media, he said: “It is not easy to write this message but after speaking again with the doctors and specialists about my hip problems I have to announce that unfortunately I will not be able to play in Rome.
“Obviously I’m very sad that I didn’t recover, it being one of my favourite tournaments ever. I couldn’t wait to come back and play at home in front of the Italian crowd.
“I will still come to Rome for a few days and stop by the Foro Italico.”
Read More: Jannik Sinner makes ‘very sad’ announcement that throws French Open campaign into doubt
Tournament organisers will be thrilled that he kept his promise, but Italian tennis fans may be sweating on his long-term fitness after he cast doubt on his French Open hopes on Monday.
“We all thought it wasn’t a serious problem. I don’t want to say exactly what it is. If it wasn’t 100% healed, I would be forced to stop playing for a long time,” Sinner commented.
“Roland Garros? We still have to decide a few things for Paris. The preparation will not be optimal. My team and I will do our best to get there with as high a percentage as possible to compete.”
But Sinner has appeared more upbeat around the site today – and has sent out a defiant message on social media.
He posted: “It’s never a straight road. We will come back stronger. #Forza”
Non è mai una strada dritta. Torneremo più forti. #Forza pic.twitter.com/0PDsN2per0
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) May 7, 2024
In the absence of Sinner, the highest-ranked Italian player at the tournament is WTA star Jasmine Paolini, who moved to a high of 12th in the WTA Rankings this week.
She and former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini will likely be the home stars that attract the most support, with action now underway in the women’s singles draw.
In the men’s draw, the tournament is also boosted by the return of world No 1 Novak Djokovic, who skipped the Madrid Open last fortnight.
