Tennis legend Andre Agassi believes Jannik Sinner is officially back — and better than ever. Following the Italian’s breathtaking performance at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Agassi had nothing but praise for the 22-year-old, who has returned to the ATP Tour with a vengeance after a three-month absence.
Appearing on Tennis Channel Live alongside Steve Weissman and Jim Courier, Agassi shared his insights on a range of tennis topics — from his new role as Team World captain for the upcoming Laver Cup to the exciting emergence of young talent like Brazil’s Joao Fonseca. But the moment the conversation shifted to Rome’s quarterfinals, one name dominated the discussion: Jannik Sinner.
Sinner, the world’s No. 1-ranked player, put on an absolute clinic on Thursday against two-time Roland Garros finalist Casper Ruud. In just 65 minutes on the red clay of Campo Centrale, Sinner tore through the match with a ruthless combination of precision and power, securing a 6-0, 6-1 victory. He didn’t face a single break point and handed Ruud his first career bagel loss to a Top 10 opponent.
Agassi, who joined the broadcast via video call from his home in Las Vegas, was clearly impressed. “What Sinner did out there, against someone as good and seasoned as Ruud, on that surface, is something you might see just two or three times in an entire career,” he said. “It was like watching a masterclass — pure and simple.”
The performance was particularly notable not just for its dominance, but because it marked Sinner’s return to competitive tennis after serving a three-month suspension. Earlier this year, Sinner tested positive for clostebol, a banned substance under WADA regulations. However, after a thorough investigation, it was determined that the contamination was accidental, and Sinner bore “no fault or negligence” in the matter. As a result, he was eligible to return with his ranking and integrity intact.
Agassi, who has navigated his own highs and lows during a storied career that includes eight Grand Slam titles, spoke with admiration about Sinner’s resilience and focus following the suspension.
“There’s no looking back for him now,” Agassi said. “Coming off a break like that — and to come back playing that kind of tennis? That speaks volumes about his mental strength and commitment.”
He went on to highlight what sets Sinner apart from the rest. “He’s a ball striker in the truest sense of the word,” Agassi noted. “His brand of controlled aggression, the way he commits to every shot, it’s something that just hits you — especially someone like me who appreciates that kind of discipline and flair.”
Agassi also spared a word of sympathy for Ruud, who appeared stunned and overpowered from the very first game. “There really wasn’t much Casper could do. You feel for the guy, but he handled it with class,” he added.
As Sinner advances into the semifinals and sets his sights on even bigger goals this clay-court season, it’s clear he’s back with purpose. His Rome return has already made headlines — and if Andre Agassi’s endorsement is any indication, we may only be seeing the beginning of what could be a historic season for the young Italian star.