Jannik Sinner: Justine Henin says world No. 1 ‘wants to eat everyone alive’ after return from tennis at Italian Open

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Justine Henin believes Jannik Sinner's form could "scare everyone" on the tour after he demolished Casper Ruud in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the Italian Open. The world No. 1 wrapped up his quarter-final in little more than an hour as he continues his impressive return from a doping ban. Sinner, who hasn't yet dropped a set, will face Tommy Paul in the last four.

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrate win against Casper Ruud of Norwy during the Men's Single quarter-final match on Day Eleven of the Internazionali BNL D'Italia 2025.

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Former world No. 1 Justine Henin believes Jannik Sinner "wants to eat everyone alive" following his straight-sets victory over Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open.

It took Sinner just over an hour to demolish the Norwegian 6-0 6-1 and reach the last four, where he will take on Tommy Paul of the United States.

The Italian is yet to drop a set in Rome on his return to action following a three-month ban for doping, and Henin believes his form could "scare everyone" on the tour.

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The seven-time Grand Slam winner told : "He's clearly worked incredibly hard physically in recent weeks. He's coming in so fresh.

"What's incredible is finding his bearings so quickly and in this way. He's picking up on everything. He's picked up on all the signals, everything he could improve on, with great intelligence, since his first match in Rome.

"The message he's sending is that he wants to eat everyone alive. It's going to do everyone good... or it's going to scare everyone."

Sinner feels his level is rising ‘day by day’ after dismantling Ruud

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Sinner, who takes on Paul on Friday night, could set up a blockbuster final against world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who meets Lorenzo Musetti in the other semi-final.

It would present an opportunity to lay down a marker ahead of the French Open, which starts next weekend - with live coverage on TNT Sports and discovery+ - where Alcaraz will be looking to defend his crown from 2024.

But Sinner, who is playing his first competitive tennis since successfully defending his Australian Open title in January, is wary of complacency ahead of Friday’s last-four clash with Paul.

"There's not really a lot to say, I'm very happy, but things can change from one moment to the next," said Sinner after defeating Ruud.

"Tomorrow we have another player. I played against him at the US Open, and it was a very difficult match. Let's see what I can do tomorrow."

Discussing his performance, the world No. 1 added: "I was feeling great on court today. I think we all saw that.

"My goal was trying to understand where my level is here in this tournament. It has raised day by day, so I'm very happy about that."

‘It’s like playing a wall’ - Ruud in awe of ‘near perfect’ Sinner

Ruud came into Rome riding high following his triumph at the Madrid Open, but was unable to replicate the form which saw him lift his maiden Masters 1000 title.

The world No. 7 said it was "like playing a wall" as he managed to win just one game throughout the quarter-final meeting with Sinner.

The Norwegian’s one hold of serve early in the second set drew one of the loudest cheers of the evening, having survived two break points earlier in the game.

However, the 26-year-old said "it was more fun than anything" to witness Sinner’s "near perfect" display.

He told reporters: "It's near as perfect that I witnessed, at least as a player, playing someone, so just got to give it to him.

"Everything else that came out of his racket feels like a hundred miles an hour plus, every single shot, on the forearm, from the backhand, and even on my shots that I feel at times are pretty heavy it comes back like just firing.

"He was just everywhere. It's just like playing a wall that you know shoots hundred miles an hour balls at you all the time."

The Norwegian added: "It doesn't feel so bad, honestly. I think it was more fun than anything.

"You just look at the guy and say 'wow this is kind of next-level sh*t', excuse my language. I don't know what else to say, it was almost fun to witness.

"I was there ready to play, but he was just even readier."

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