Jannik Sinner said it was an “amazing feeling” to be back on court after beating Argentina’s Mariano Navone at the Italian Open in the first match since his doping ban.
The 6-3 6-4 victory was the world number one’s 22nd in a row - a streak interrupted by the three month suspension he agreed with the World Anti Doping Agency (Wada).
Sinner wrote ‘Che bello’ (How beautiful) on the camera lens at the end of the match, as chants of ‘Ole’ rang around the stadium.
“It has been amazing to go again on court after such a long time, having a great support also in the last days,” said Sinner, who thought it was the best reception he had ever enjoyed.