In the wake of the departures of two prominent Romans, pre the Italian Open, first the passing of beloved pontif, Pope Francis and then to a lesser extent, the retirement of former Italian No 1, Fabio Fognini, the return of World No 1, Jannik Sinner, to Foro Italico, is all the more poignant.
This marks Sinners first professional appearance, since the Australian Open, after a provisional three-month drug suspension.
He finds himself in the top half of the draw, together with newly crowned, Madrid champion, Casper Ruud, with whom, he will potentially clash in the quarters and in the opposite side of the draw to arch rivals, World No 3, Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion, Alexander Zverev, whom he’s destined to meet in the semis.
Alcaraz, bouncing back from…