Inside Jannik Sinner's return from ban at Italian Open with players still split

is back in Rome to relaunch his career following his three-month drugs ban. But although his suspension is over today, the sport remains split over the controversial treatment of the world No.1. Rafa Nadal and Jack Draper have spoken up in support of the Italian before he makes a hero's return at the Rome Masters this week.

But Novak Djokovic and his PTPA have complained about perceived favouritism towards the reigning US and Australian Open champion. Serena Williams claimed: "I would have gotten 20 years" for the same offence. And Nick Kyrgios renewed his attacks on Sinner by claiming the system is corrupt after the recent 18-month ban handed to fellow Aussie Max Purcell. Like the Italian baseliner, the controversy surrounding his ban will run and run.

The reigning US and Australian Open champion twice tested positive for the anabolic agent clostebol last March. His defence that the banned substance entered his body via a massage from his physio was accepted by an independent tribunal but Wada appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Sinner could have been banned for up to two years but instead accepted a deal in February which saw him banned for three months - without missing any Grand Slams - with Wada accepting the Italian player had not deliberately cheated.

Back in February, Djokovic claimed: "A majority of the players feel like there is favouritism happening. It appears that you can almost affect the outcome if you are a top player, if you have access to the top lawyers."

And the lawsuit from the Professional Tennis Players' Association against tennis' ruling bodies in March also stated the world No.1 had enjoyed special treatment.

"There was no investigation that dragged for over a year into a prominent player who had not vocalised any issues with the cartel," the lawsuit claimed.

Speaking about Sinner to Time magazine last month (April), Williams claimed "I love the guy" but added: "If I did that, I would have gotten 20 years. Let's be honest. I would have gotten Grand Slams taken away from me."

And Aussie stars contrasted Sinner's treatment with former Wimbledon doubles champion Max Purcell was banned for 18 months for exceeding the limit of multivitamins that he introduced into his body through an intravenous injection.

John Millman said "When Sinner receives a three-month suspension for a banned substance, and Max is given six times the penalty he received, it's hard not to think that the system has failed its players."

And Kyrgios wrote on X: "So honest feelings about how ridiculous Purcell's ban is? Vitamins? Can we justify this? Or can we just admit now that the whole system is cooked."

After admitting he felt uneasy in the player locker-room at the Australian Open, Sinner will be granted a special suite away from the other players this week.

But Spanish superstar Nadal said: "I 100 per cent believe that Jannik is innocent." And his friend and fellow 23-year-old Draper claimed: "In this situation I am sure he would have had absolutely zero idea of anything. That's the way life goes - sometimes there are mistakes. He doesn't deserve any of the hate he gets."

Starting at the Rome Masters this week, the big question this summer is how Sinner will now play after three months out and under a harsh spotlight. He was able to win Grand Slams in New York and Melbourne despite the noise.

Sinner, 23, re-started training on April 13 - including with Draper and his Norwegian hitting partner Nicolai Budkov Kjaer - and hit with Holger Rune in Monte Carlo this weekend before travelling to Rome.

"He is still the same Sinner, don't worry!" warned Wimbledon junior champion Budkov Kjaer. "He has a big desire to work, an attitude that is an example and a lot of young people starting out in tennis are inspired by him. The stop doesn't appear to have hurt him - he still hits very hard!"