Or maybe Jannik Sinner just likes playing against Casper Ruud.Whatever it was, the top-ranked Sinner cranked up his level to near-perfection in a 6-0, 6-1 dismantling of Ruud in the Italian Open quarterfinals on Thursday — a day after Sinner was granted a private audience with the new tennis-playing pope just down the road at the Vatican.

The world No. 1 was rusty on his first match back after three months away. His Italian Open draw means he cannot afford to be so for long.

Jannik Sinner, the current world No. 1, broke a record previously held by the Big Three, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer, after his match at the Italian Open.

Netherlands’ Jesper De Jong casts his shadow on the court as he returns the ball to Italy’s Jannik Sinner during their tennis match at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Monday, May 12, 2025.

Sinner will next face Tommy Paul, as he continues his comeback from a three-month doping ban. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Jannik Sinner's first practice for the Italian Open is open to the public. Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper practiced together on clay courts in France. Jannik Sinner appears to have a new girlfriend. Nick Kyrgios implied he is playing in the 2025 French Open but is not on the entry list.