Jannik Sinner has not only had an excellent season, but he has shown his incredible mental strength once again.
The current world number 2 was suspended for three months from the professional tour and suffered serious image damage, as well as having had to miss four Masters 1000. The Italian ace made his return to the Rome Masters 1000 in front of his home fans and immediately reached the final, losing in straight sets to his huge rival Carlos Alcaraz.
The 24-year-old from Sesto Pusteria also played amazing tennis at Roland Garros, disproving all those who thought he would always struggle on red clay. The former world number 1 qualified for the final without losing a single set and unleashed an amazing performance even in the last act, taking a two-set lead and a break against defending champion Alcaraz.
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The four-time Grand Slam champion also had three match points in a row and looked ready to celebrate, before suffering the vehement comeback of the 22-year-old Spaniard who won the longest final in the history of the French Slam. That loss had some repercussions on Jannik's mind, who admitted that he shed a few tears, but that did not prevent him from taking revenge at the Wimbledon Championships a few weeks later and ending the season in the best possible way.
Sinner can also shine on clay
Interviewed by 'Il Corriere dello Sport', Italian tennis legend Paolo Bertolucci confessed that he has a wish for Jannik for 2026: I hope Sinner wins Paris. Theyve been dragging us around for 50 years with this Panatta being the last finalist! Well, it looks like who knows what the hell youve done, with that s physique!
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If he continues to work hard and adds new solutions to his game, there is no reason to rule out a victory by the former world number 1 in Paris. In addition to reaching the final in 2025, he had qualified for the semifinals last year and forced Alcaraz into a five-set battle on the iconic Philippe Chatrier.
