WATCH: Jannik Sinner Shows Class By Helping Injured Opponent During Rome Match

Jannik Sinner showed he has not lost any of his fair play and role-model characteristics when Jesper De Jong fell during their round-of-32 match at the 2025 Italian Open.

The final score did not reflect how competitive the contest between the pair was. For long periods, the Dutchman took the game to Sinner and struck several impressive shots that left the fans on Centre Court gasping.

Ultimately, the ATP world No. 1 showed his class and played best in the significant moments to triumph 6-4, 6-2. A painful moment for De Jong in the second set made an unlikely comeback even more difficult.

At 3-1, 15-15 to Sinner, De Jong hit a serve out wide and met the Italian's return in the middle of the court with a cross-court backhand. The pre-match underdog then tried to close off the net to be in a position for Sinner's passing shot.

Instead, De Jong lost his footing and clattered onto the clay in Rome. He immediately clutched his wrist and was in visible discomfort, sparking concerns among the fans inside the stadium and those watching worldwide.

Sinner's classy instincts immediately kicked in when he saw De Jong on the ground. The three-time Grand Slam champion crossed the net and crouched down beside the world No. 93 to check how he was.

Thankfully, De Jong got up despite being in pain. Sinner gave him a towel as he walked to his chair, and the pair briefly exchanged a smile as the fans applauded the two men for the sporting moment.

The home favorite was not done there, though. He also cleaned the clay off De Jong's racket while a doctor was called to assess his wrist before eventually putting it down beside him to pick up when play restarted.

Although the injury seemed like it could be severe at first, De Jong finishing the match was positive. The Dutchman got a nice ovation from the fans as he left the court, who appreciated his courage to keep playing and shot-making, especially in the first set.

While De Jong's efforts deserved credit, Sinner received an even more challenging test from Francisco Cerundolo in the round of 16. The Argentine pushed him to a tiebreak, which the 2024 US Open champion won before coming through in the second set.

Sinner deserves credit for managing his return to tennis. The Italian Open is Sinner's first tournament since he won the 2025 Australian Open in January, before the World Anti-Doping Agency banned him from February 9th until May 4th.

Unsurprisingly, Sinner has managed constant scrutiny at his first event, which was even more heightened by playing in front of his home fans. That is a lot for anyone to cope with, regardless of how resilient they are.

The world No. 1's three wins so far in Rome are also impressive since clay is not his favorite surface. That could have made returning even more complicated, but Sinner has remained composed and played with quality.