Roddick confident about Sinner's return to Rome: "the crowd will go crazy"
Sinner will return to Rome on May 8 after a three-month suspension for testing positive for clostebol.
In an interview with SuperTennis, Andy Roddick shared his thoughts on the Italian's comeback. For him, there’s no doubt—the excitement will be high for the world number one’s return:
"Sinner is coming home, and his crowd in Rome will go crazy. With the support and fame he enjoys in Italy, I’m not sure there could’ve been a better place for his return.
He played well in Turin and won the ATP Finals there, but he didn’t play in Rome last year, so they haven’t seen Jannik since he became the best player in the world.
I don’t worry about the discussions around his return affecting him, because he’s been dealing with this since last year’s US Open, and he’s won two major tournaments during that time.
I think he still has the respect of the people in the locker room, even though I disagree with the confusing nature of anti-doping protocols.
Maybe there are a few people more interested in voicing opinions than reading the facts, but Jannik is pretty level-headed. I don’t think he’ll come in with a chip on his shoulder."
The American, however, raises a slight question about the sporting aspect, just weeks before Roland-Garros:
"The reality is, he’s coming back on a surface that probably isn’t his favorite. His preparation for Roland-Garros could be affected. I don’t think you can be away for three months and return like nothing has changed."
