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Sinner not expecting Rome success and hopes break helps season

Jannik Sinner says he will ease his way back in when he returns from a three-month doping ban on home clay at the Rome Masters this week.

The 23-year-old, who was banned after he said a masseur used a banned substance on him, will be playing his first tournament since winning the Australian Open.

Winning the French Open starting on May 25 is his main immediate target.

"I have low expectations in this tournament," he told a news conference on Monday.

"The goal will be Paris, I'm not here to beat anyone but to try to get through the first round and then see what can happen.

"It's difficult for me to come in cold to a tournament and get familiar with the rhythm. But I'm very calm and well physically and mentally. I'm rested, which will pay off at the end of the season."

The world number one could meet young Spanish rival Carlos Alcaraz, fit after an adductor problem, in the Rome final after they were drawn on Monday in opposite halves of the draw.

Sinner will open his Rome campaign against Mariano Navone or Federico Cina, likely on Friday.

"The most difficult moment of the suspension was at the start. I couldn't watch any sport at all. I couldn't go to a stadium to watch football or follow a cycling race with my friends. But I was happy to spend time with my family," he said.

"In the beginning I had surprising messages from tennis players I did not expect to receive. And nothing from those I did expect to get something from."

Defending Rome champion Alexander Zverev will begin his defence against a qualifier or Camilo Ugo Carabelli of Argentina.

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