Jannik Sinner has won two titles and 14 matches on clay this year.
The world number one has taken his game to another level on what was once believed to be his weakest surface.
His numbers in 2026 are similar to those of Spanish legend Rafael Nadal, the greatest clay-courter of all time.
If tennis were creating a fifth Grand Slam title, where would you want it held? 🌏
Another tennis legend, Andy Roddick, has now suggested whether Sinner is as good as prime Nadal on clay.
Andy Roddick still thinks Rafael Nadal is the best clay-court player ever and ‘it’s not close’
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘, the 43-year-old commented on Sinner’s closest challengers.
“Carlitos [Alcaraz] says I’m not playing Roland Garros. It shifts even more to [Jannik] Sinner,” said Roddick.
“Since then, rolls in Madrid, and now you look at the people we’ve built up as that next tier.
“[Arthur] Fils has been playing amazingly well. Sinner took care of him very handily in Madrid, 6-2, 6-4, not that close. Is hurt; his hip didn’t feel right. Hopefully, he gets healthy and is ready, and it’s minor.
“[Jack] Draper, it’s been a minute. He hasn’t found his footing again.
“[Alexander] Zverev, I don’t know if we can say, let’s make the format longer, and that will help his chances against Jannik, right?
“I think Sinner has only become more of a favourite based on circumstance.”
Roddick then posed an interesting question about Sinner’s dominance heading into Roland Garros.
“If [Novak] is second favourite undercooked, or Zverev is the most likely to get to a final or a semi, but that match-up doesn’t look like it’s getting any better, I’ve got a question for you, ‘Is Sinner as heavy a favourite going into Roland Garros as Rafa [Nadal] used to be going into Roland Garros, specifically this year?” he asked.
“I’m not saying that the comparison is over 20 years of the event. In a silo… You could argue his next five challengers are all compromised in some shape or form!
How French Open contenders have played on clay this year
| Player | Clay-court record | Clay-court win % | Clay titles | Issues |
| Jannik Sinner | 14-0 | 100% | 2 (Monte Carlo Masters, Madrid Open) | – |
| Rafael Jodar | 15-2 | 88% | 1 (Grand Prix Hassan II) | – |
| Alexander Zverev | 13-4 | 76% | 0 | Lost nine in a row against Jannik Sinner |
| Arthur Fils | 9-2 | 82% | 1 (Barcelona Open) | Retired injured from the Italian Open |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 5-1 | 83% | 0 | Injured – Out of French Open |
| Jack Draper | 0-1 | 0 | Injured – Out of French Open |
“The conversation, because you don’t want to be disrespectful to Rafa, he’s the best I’ve ever seen on any surface, and to me it’s not close.
“I know everyone is like Alcaraz and Sinner would beat him, no, even with as dominant as Sinner has been, no.
“Me saying this isn’t a Sinner vs Rafa conversation. This is a, if Rafa is 90% to go through, you’re telling me Sinner is not that right now?”
Sinner is the favourite to win the French Open, although a certain Serbian superstar may have something to say about that…
Andy Roddick previews Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic at the French Open
Novak Djokovic is a three-time French Open champion and will be searching for his 25th Grand Slam title in Paris.
He also beat Sinner at the last major tournament, delivering one of the finest performances of his legendary career.
- 2025 Australian Open SF – Novak Djokovic defeated Jannik Sinner, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
However, Roddick doesn’t believe Djokovic would fare as well on the clay courts of Paris.
“Here’s what I think… More time on the ball, less secure footing, when you’re giving up half a step, is not a better situation than Australia, where Sinner went two for a million on break points, and you went five for seven,” he said.
2025 Australian Open SF – Match stats
| Stats | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner |
| Aces | 12 | 26 |
| Double faults | 3 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 70% | 75% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 71% | 80% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 55% | 55% |
| Break points | 3/8 | 2/18 |
“You took the narrow margins and threaded the needle and won 6-3 or 6-4 in the fifth, and you kind of had to thread that needle.
“Those margins on clay vs Sinner right now, specifically in this match-up, not to say Sinner is a better clay-courter than prime Novak, don’t get it twisted. The margins for Novak to beat him three out of five sets, especially on clay, I think the margins are even narrower in that scenario.
“So I think it would be a bigger upset at the French Open than it would be at the Australian Open.”
It remains to be seen if Djokovic and Sinner will meet at the French Open next month, but it will be something to keep an eye on when the draw is released.
For now, Sinner will focus on the Italian Open, where he will play Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals on Thursday, May 14.
