World No.1 puts numbers in perspective from Rome run
©Cédric Lecocq / FFTJannik Sinner is hardly the type to get too far ahead of himself at the best of times, so in just his second event back since defending his Australian Open crown in January, expectations are firmly in check ahead of Roland-Garros 2025.
The world No.1 returned to a superstar’s welcome in Rome last week where he harnessed the home support all the way to the final before the thorn in his Paris campaign from last year, Carlos Alcaraz, halted his dash.
There was fanfare aplenty too on the grounds of Roland-Garros this week when fans swamped the Italian days out from the start of the season’s second major, this between hit-outs with the likes of Gael Monfils and Jordan Thompson.
Days off had afforded the 23-year-old time to recover from a physical, rust-shaking run on home soil, but Sinner accepted the need for time to work his way into contention in the next fortnight.
“It's going to be different. I felt in Rome that we have had some stats from that tournament where some were good, some were not where I want to be, and that's exactly how I felt on court,” Sinner said. “So there is a lot of room to improve. Hopefully we are on time to make small changes for here.
©Clement Mahoudeau / FFT“There are no miracles, no? I need some time. Matches are different than practice sessions. But we are working hard, trying to reach the physical level I would like to, and how I would like to feel on court … Best-of-five is going to be a great test for me, trying to understand where I am. Let's see how my body will respond here.”
Sinner would do worse than cast his mind back to his 2024 campaign when he arrived underdone having struggled with a hip injury he suffered in Madrid.
Rome was scratched last time around yet he still forged a path to the last four where he extended eventual champion Alcaraz to five sets.
A first ATP Masters 1000 final on clay this year – the first at that level against Alcaraz – went some way to restoring his confidence on the surface.
“For sure it was great after three months coming back making a final. It was my first big final on clay, which is not to underrate because we worked a lot for that, but also it was a great feeling to be part of this final,” he said. “We have seen a couple of things where I can improve, and Grand Slams are just different. You know, you have to be mentally ready, physically too trying to use the right energy. It's all about being consistent and solid.”
Having pored over the numbers with his team, Sinner was able check how his performances stacked up against his Monte-Carlo run from last season.
Everything from ball speed, spin, running pace and acceleration were deliberated and while the numbers told a story, they aren't the be all and end all when it's time for his opening round in Paris against local act Arthur Rinderknech.
©Cédric Lecocq / FFT“When we play on court, we tennis players, we always like to play with what we feel, no? Because we don't have second choices when we step on court,” Sinner said. “There are some days you feel good; some days where you don't feel that well. But you always have to try to find a solution.
“For me, the stats are very important … I don't know exactly how I was playing, if the shots were on the right pace or not, if I'm moving well or not, many things. So we took one of the first matches in Monaco last year, because that was the first clay tournament, and then we took the stats from this first tournament on clay again, trying to understand where I am.
“Now we have a big picture. We know where we have to work on, which was very useful. The goal there was to win couple of matches, and I ended up in the final, which is a huge extra for me. Hopefully this can give me then some confidence for here in Paris.”
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
