World No 1 Jannik Sinner has revealed that he is ready to put the success of last year behind him to battle for glory at the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne.
The Italian enjoyed a successful year in 2024 by winning the Australian Open, US Open, and the ATP Finals.
He also produced a stunning performance to lead Italy to a second consecutive Davis Cup triumph.
The 23-year-old did not participate in any lead-up tournament to the Australian Open, choosing to fly straight to Melbourne for his first match of 2025.
He defeated Australian world number 25 Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) rallying from 5-2 down in the second set on Rod Laver Arena in an exhibition game.
Sinner said: “2024 was an amazing season for me, but it is already gone now.
“So many things have happened for me on this court and off the court.
“I’m very happy to be back, even if it is a kind of exhibition. For us it’s always very important trying to feel the court, the pace.
“In my mind, I know how much work we have put in, which hopefully will give me confidence and we will see how it goes.”
Sinner is kicking off his campaign with a doping cloud hanging over him after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.
He was exonerated by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which accepted his explanation that the drug entered his system when his physiotherapist treated a cut.
But the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Italian is still awaiting the verdict.
The 2025 Australian Open kicks off on Sunday in Melbourne.
