Jannik Sinner's withdrawal from the 2024 Italian Open in Rome is now official, but he intends to travel to his home country as planned.
The Italian Open, or Rome Masters as it is commonly known by tennis fans, is a crucial tournament for the world's best players looking to fine-tune their game before the French Open. Main draw action will commence on Wednesday, May 8th (ATP).
For Sinner, performing in front of his home fans adds a layer of incentive. It is one of only two times in a season (assuming he will qualify for the ATP Finals) that he gets to play in Italy. Sadly, that won't happen next week, at least on a match court.
The 22-year-old is now the poster boy of Italian tennis thanks to a career-best season, which is only halfway through. Sinner became the first Italian, male or female, to win the Australian Open in January - his first major title.
He has since added to his trophy collection by winning in Rotterdam and Miami and overtaking Carlos Alcaraz to become World No. 2 - the highest peak of an Italian player in ATP rankings history.
He was expected to challenge Novak Djokovic for the World No. 1 ranking in Rome, but a hip injury in Madrid hindered his quest. Sinner was forced to withdraw from the tournament ahead of his quarterfinal match against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Spanish capital.
The former junior skier immediately returned to Monaco to rest and recuperate. According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Sinner underwent scans and some physiotherapy sessions in Monte Carlo, where he resides, and was scheduled to travel to Rome on Sunday.
A decision about his involvement at the tournament was expected on Monday But on the advice of his doctors and specialists, Sinner has chosen not to play in Rome but will visit the Foro Italico, presumably, as a show of courtesy to the tournament.
"I will still come to Rome for a few days and stop by the Foro Italico."
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