Italian professional tennis player Jannik Sinner is not considered a top contender to win the French Open this year, according to former tennis champion Boris Becker. Sinner’s participation at Roland Garros has been met with concerns about his physical fitness, particularly after he pulled out from the Madrid Open and Rome Open due to a lingering hip injury.
Although he confirmed his participation in the tournament, Sinner admitted to having low expectations due to uncertainties surrounding his physical condition and endurance. The prospect of playing in a two-week event, where winning the title requires conquering seven best-of-five-set matches, seemed daunting to the Australian Open champion.
Despite this, Sinner made a strong start in the tournament, securing a decisive victory in the first round. Nevertheless, Becker does not believe that the Italian player is a frontrunner for the championship. According to Becker, Sinner’s performance on clay courts may not be as strong as on other surfaces. He emphasized that Sinner has not yet achieved a significant victory on clay, casting doubts on his prospects at the French Open.
Becker also highlighted the physical demands of best-of-five-set matches, especially over a two-week period, where there are no shortcuts to victory. He cautioned that despite Sinner’s potential, the challenges posed by the rigorous tournament format might be too much to overcome, especially given the injury concerns surrounding the young player.
Sinner received treatment for his hip problem from the medical facility used by Juventus Football Club and expressed contentment with his physical condition after his initial win at Roland Garros. However, Becker underscored the inherent risk of competing with lingering injuries in a sport that heavily relies on the player’s agility and movement.
Despite the challenges, Sinner remains optimistic and grateful for the support he has received. He acknowledged the hard work put in by his team to prepare him for the tournament and expressed his desire to continue improving as a player.
As the French Open progresses, there will undoubtedly be heightened interest in Sinner’s performance, particularly as the competition becomes more intense. Becker’s doubts may add an extra layer of intrigue to Sinner’s journey at Roland Garros and could potentially shape the narrative of this year’s championship.