Andy Roddick reveals what to ‘watch out for’ early on during Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner clash
Andy Roddick has warned fans to ‘watch out’ for a key factor, early on during the 2025 Italian Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
The two will meet for an 11th time, with the Spaniard leading their head-to-head 6-4 – however, it will be their first meeting in a final and their first on clay since the 2024 Roland Garros semi-final.
“The funny thing is, when you see the stats from [Carlos] Alcaraz, at different points of the year, we have been concerned about him,” began Roddick, speaking on the Tennis Channel.
“Maybe after Australia or maybe he takes a loss to Goffin in Miami and we start the question meter.
“Then you look at the graphics and he is winning six matches for everyone that he loses and you are going ‘What standard are we comparing him to?’
“I don’t think the question on clay has ever been about where his form is at, he has proven that he is the best clay courter in the world over the last couple of years, it’s just a matter of health.”
During Sinner’s semi-final match against Tommy Paul, the Italian seemed to struggle when stretching for forehand shots, not wanting to put pressure on his right leg – something which visibly caused him pain when he did.
“I will keep an eye – Sinner in that third set it looked like he was managing his movement a little bit. I think that is something to watch out for early days on Sunday,” warned Roddick.
“Also, if you are Sinner, and there is anything wrong and we don’t know that there is yet, it’s just the eye test, he was pulling up on some of the movement.
“If he is feeling anything, you play it safe for Roland Garros.”
Despite the warning from the 2003 US Open champion, the world No 1 was quick to dismiss any injury concerns, confirming that the discomfort was an existing blister.
“Since the third round, I have a small blister under my feet that doesn’t allow me to move in some moments,” stated Sinner.
“I felt it more today than in other matches. Leg-wise, I’m not concerned. It is just a bit tight, but this is normal.
“There are no excuses and for Sunday, I am 100% not concerned.”
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The three-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t lost a match since the 2024 Beijing final, where Alcaraz prevailed from 3-0 down in the deciding-set tiebreak – capping off a third consecutive victory against Sinner.
As such, Roddick believes that the world No 3 is ‘well equipped’ to beat the world No 1 in the Italian Open final.
“Carlos Alcaraz is a genius at finding a way to hit behind his opponents, especially when the footing isn’t as solid,” analysed the American.
“Let’s jump back to the plot for a second, all the way back to when Sinner played Casper Ruud. Sinner knows that Casper Ruud can attack him by going high and heavy, right? And he kind of knows that that’s what’s coming right?
“Today, the only way TP [Tommy Paul] was going to get ahead of the points was to go hard, flat through the court with that backhand-to-backhand. But Sinner knew he didn’t have to defend TP’s backhand line over and over, especially if he hits a good ball. Carlos Alcaraz is capable of all of them.
“He can create the high balls like a Casper Ruud. He can hit that backhand through the court. He can hit it line across. So it’s not going to be as simple for Sinner just to get into that kind of exchange where he’s the best in the world.
“So, Carlos doesn’t want Jannik hitting multiple shots from the same position. That is when he can distribute, that is when he can deploy his power. And Carlos is probably the most well-equipped person on earth to deal with Jannik Sinner.”
