Andre Agassi: There’s “no looking back” for Jannik Sinner amid Rome comeback

Andre Agassi says there’s “no looking back” for the returning Jannik Sinner, after the ATP’s top-ranked player put on a power tennis masterclass against Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

The former No. 1 and eight-time Grand Slam champion dropped in on Tennis Channel Live with Steve Weissman and Jim Courier on Thursday. He sounded off on a variety of tennis topics, from his appointment as Laver Cup’s new Team World captain, to the rapid rise of young Joao Fonseca.

Read more: Andre Agassi revisits some of his most iconic tennis outfits

But upon the conclusion of men’s quarterfinal action in Rome, the topic of discussion inevitably turned to the most impressive performance of the day:

“Playing that well, against someone as dangerous and as effective as Ruud, on that surface? That happens maybe three times in a career,” Agassi said, speaking via video call from his Las Vegas home. “That was a thing of beauty to watch.”

Top-seeded Sinner needed just 65 minutes to completely dismantle the two-time Roland Garros finalist on Campo Centrale. In a display that Agassi likened to “a runaway train”, Sinner didn’t face a break point on his way to a 6-0, 6-1 victory—his first time bageling a Top 10 opponent.

Read More: Jannik Sinner joins Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray on legendary list with 25th win in a row

“There was not much Ruud could have hoped for out there. I feel bad for him, but he did take it in stride,” Agassi added.

“Sinner is just a quintessential ball striker. To a guy like me, that goes straight to my heart… His controlled aggression impresses the heck out of me.”

The Italian is competing in only his second tournament of 2025, after accepting a three-month suspension as part of his settlement to his doping case from WADA. Sinner tested positive twice in 2024 for the banned substance clostebol, but was later determined to bear “no fault or negligence” for the contamination.

While sidelined, Sinner was not allowed to train with ranked players or enter a professional sports facility, and he was barred from any “official training activities” until April 13.

Read More: Jannik Sinner's doping case: A complete timeline from start to settlement

According to Agassi, that long period of inactivity makes Sinner’s performance on Thursday even more impressive.

“The thing that surprises me the most about three months away was always the movement stuff. For me, it was always the return, it was always the reaction to the ball,” he reflected.

“But, when you can move as well as he does? It looked like he spent a few matches not really stressing, not pressing, watching the ball, tracking it and using his legs. Then, once he got comfortable that he could take some big blows, he started letting his game fly.

“And yeah, there’s no looking back for him. He’s where he’s at because he belongs there.”

Sinner is just a quintessential ball striker. To a guy like me, that goes straight to my heart. Andre Agassi

Sinner has looked right at home at the Foro Italico, and he hasn’t missed a beat—or dropped a set—since returning to action. The top seed eased past Mariano Navone and Jesper de Jong in the early rounds, and overcame his biggest challenge of the fortnight against No. 17 seed Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (2), 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals.

The world No. 1, who lifted his second Australian Open trophy in January and hasn’t lost a match all year, will face Tommy Paul next for a place in the final.