Paris - Jannik Sinner goes into Roland Garros, which starts on May 24, as the absolute top favorite. After an outstanding season in which the 24-year-old South Tyrolean has already put together a winning streak of 34 matches at Masters 1000 tournaments and triumphed in Rome, all he needs now is the title in France to complete the so-called Career Grand Slam. His biggest rival and defending champion of the last two years, the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, has had to withdraw due to an injury to his right wrist. Last year, Sinner lost the final against Alcaraz in a memorable five-set battle despite three match points.
„I'm very happy to be back here,“ explained the world number one in the run-up to the tournament. To recharge his batteries, he spent a few days with his family in Sesto after his latest success. The fact that everyone now wants to beat him is completely normal. „You have to be ready,“ emphasized Sinner, referring to the special nature of best-of-five matches, where you have enough time to find solutions even after a bad start.
The path to the title and possible stumbling blocks
The draw seems to mean well for the South Tyrolean: In the first round, he will face the French wildcard player Clément Tabur, the world number 156. A clash with top-class opponents such as Alexander Zverev or Novak Djokovic is only possible in the final. On the way there, however, Italian duels could await, including against Luciano Darderi in the round of 16 or Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-finals. Cobolli, seeded number 10, was confident: „You can't go onto the court as a loser against Sinner.“
Despite being the clear favorites, there are factors that Sinner's team must keep in mind. On the one hand, there is the physical strain: long matches on the energy-sapping red clay. The Italian's five-set record at major tournaments stands at six wins and eleven defeats. Three of these defeats happened directly in Paris. In addition, a knee problem forced him to retire at Roland Garros in 2022. Quick wins in the opening rounds are therefore seen as the key to saving strength for the hot tournament phase.
The other Italians in the tournament
In addition to Sinner, there are numerous other compatriots in the main draw. Matteo Berrettini will face Marton Fucsovics, Lorenzo Sonego is waiting for a qualifier. Mattia Bellucci will play Quentin Halys and Matteo Arnaldi will take on Tallon Griekspoor. Andrea Pellegrino and Federico Cinà are in the main draw of a Slam for the first time. In the women's tournament, Jasmine Paolini, the 2024 finalist, has been drawn against Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska, a tough opening hurdle. Elisabetta Cocciaretto will also start the tournament against a qualifier. There is still a question mark over the form of Novak Djokovic, who is hoping for a good performance after physical problems in recent months.
