Heading into last week’s Italian Open final, there was so much on the line for Jannik Sinner.
After all, not only was it an opportunity to finally claim this title in his home country, but it was also a chance to create history at the Masters 1000 level.
And so, in beating Casper Ruud, Sinner broke a Novak Djokovic record, becoming the youngest man to have won all nine events at this level.
Throughout the week, the Italian looked supremely relaxed as he carved through the draw.
However, after what we have now learned, that calmness was a cover for something far more worrying for Jannik Sinner’s team.
What Jannik Sinner’s team said about his actions during the Italian Open
This insight comes courtesy of Gianni Milan, a former Italian tennis star.
He spoke to The Fox, revealing a conversation he had shared with Alex Vittur, Sinner’s manager, midway through the Italian Open.
Who will win this year’s French Open?
The second Slam of the year…
“Jannik cared about this tournament basically like a Slam. It was very important,” he began before sharing his chat with Vittur.
“I talked with his manager, and he told me: ‘Gianni, I’m worried because I’ve never seen him like this. Not even in slams. There’s a high level of tension; I hope he can get himself out of this (situation.)’”
To have put so much pressure on himself and still come out on top is hugely impressive.
It will be really interesting to see whether such an emotional two weeks have any toll on him heading into Roland Garros, although after what Jessica Pegula has recently predicted about Sinner, she certainly doesn’t think so.
What could stop Jannik Sinner from winning Roland Garros this year?
When trying to think of who could stop Sinner from winning this year’s French Open, the options are limited.
After all, whilst Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic seem like the obvious options, neither are heading to Paris in good form, with question marks over their fitness as well.
Djokovic actually offered a worrying fitness update not too long ago, which should not fill fans with confidence ahead of the second major of the season.
It’s also worth considering names like Casper Ruud, Rafael Jodar and Joao Fonseca, although all have also lost in straight sets to Sinner recently.
Can anyone now stop Jannik Sinner from winning Roland Garros after Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal?
If yes, who?
And so, in the end, it feels more like ‘what’ might stop Sinner rather than ‘who’, with that being a potential injury, unfavourable conditions or a drop in concentration.
The rest of the ATP Tour is so far from his level that it really feels like only exceptional circumstances will prevent him from taking the title.
