Mats Wilander predicts who the French Open crowd will support more out of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are the two favourites for the French Open, and with good reason.

After all, not only are they the top-two-seeded players in the men’s draw, but their form going in shows the most promise too.

That is, despite Sinner’s three-month ban from tennis, which he quickly overcame to reach the final in Rome.

Whilst Alcaraz will be hoping to add another Roland Garros title to his cabinet, the Italian will instead be wanting to snag his first.

Mats Wilander has offered his thoughts not only on their respective chances, but also on how the French crowd might react to them both.

Mats Wilander predicts how the French Open crowd will react to Jannik Sinner

Speaking to TNT Sports earlier this week, the three-time French Open champion sought to expand upon this crowd.

And whilst they have certainly taken to him over the years, given his penchant for success in the French capital, there have been examples of players not quite forming that same amicable relationship.

However, on this occasion, Wilander expects support for both Alcaraz and Sinner. He does think the former might just edge them: ‘I think best-of-five sets helps Jannik Sinner. I think the French crowd is obviously not going to all be for Sinner. In fact, they are most probably going to be a little bit more for Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner vs Alcaraz, Grand Slam performance

‘That’s not because he’s a nicer guy than Jannik Sinner, because they’re two unbelievably great human beings, and of course, they’re great players.

‘But with the style of Carlos Alcaraz, I think in every stadium in the world, except Foro Italico [in Rome], Carlos Alcaraz is going to be the crowd favorite. And I think that’s easier for Jannik Sinner to deal with.

‘Plus, if it’s five sets, I think that’s easier, too, for Jannik Sinner because he can relax a little bit. So it should make it even more even if they play on Philippe Chatrier in about three weeks.’

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner prepare for potential Roland Garros final

With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner heading to Paris in fine form, the hope is that their respective seeding could end with a grand conclusion of the event.

After all, having won the Italian Open last week, the Spaniard has returned to the number two seed, just behind the remaining world number one.

Poised to be on opposite sides of the draw, the only time that this generational duo can now meet is in the final.

And, given how they faced off in the semi-finals of the French Open last year, the expectation is that they will go one step further to provide the grand finale that the tennis world is craving.

That 2024 clash went the distance and provided us with some incredible shot-making. Should they meet again, in a match where a Grand Slam title is on the line, we can expect some of their very best tennis.