Jannik Sinner reveals if he will play at the French Open after difficult period
Jannik Sinner has issued a positive update about his injury ahead of the French Open, but the good news has been accompanied by a slight warning following his extended period of inactivity.
World No 2 Sinner hasn’t played competitively since his Madrid Open last-16 clash against Karen Khachanov at the end of April due to a hip injury he sustained earlier in the tournament.
The reigning Australian Open champion eventually withdrew from his quarter-final match and was also forced to skip the Italian Open, raising major doubts over his participation at Roland Garros.
The 22-year-old then underwent extensive treatment at Serie A club Juventus’ medical training facility and has now finally confirmed he will play in Paris next week.
“I decided to play because Roland Garros is a very important tournament,” he said. “It’s a Slam and I want to be part of it if my body permits.”
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Sinner will face Chris Eubanks in the first round on Monday, but he admits he is not expecting “miracles” after spending such a long time on the sidelines.
“The hip feels good. I’m not concerned anymore about my hip. The last tests we made, they were very positive. That’s why I’m here,” the Italian said.
“For sure, the general physical shape is not there where I want it to be, but we cannot make miracles in less than 10 days before the first-round match. But I’m happy to be here. Look, it’s not been an easy period for me, not playing Rome, which is a very special tournament.
“Most importantly it’s going to be the mental side, of being mentally ready, accepting things what could happen on the court, and then we see what I can do.”
He added: “I know in my mind that I can play good tennis even with this kind of shape where I am right now, and hopefully I can stay here longer than last year. I made second round last year. Let’s see what I can do this year.”
Many believe this year’s men’s draw is wide open as world No 1 Novak Djokovic is out of form while Sinner, world No 3 Carlos Alcaraz and 14-time champion Rafael Nadal have struggled with injury.
But Sinner is only focused on his own game.
“Look, at the moment, I look a lot about myself. I’m not looking around so much,” he said. “I come to the club, I do my things, and I’m away again.
“I know that it might be a little bit more open, but I have my job to do on Monday, I have one opponent there. All these questions will be answered in a little bit more than two weeks. Nobody can tell the future.”
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