With his return to the ATP Tour imminent, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is setting his sights on conquering the red clay — a surface historically less favorable to his game. The Italian star is determined to maintain his dominance and keep his Calendar Grand Slam hopes alive, a feat not achieved since Rod Laver in 1969.
Roland Garros: Sinner’s Toughest Test
Among the four Grand Slams, the French Open remains the most challenging for Sinner, whose strengths are best showcased on hard courts. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old has already proven his growing prowess on clay, notably reaching the semifinals in Paris last year before falling to rival Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling five-set thriller.
During his recent time away from competition — not due to injury but as a scheduled break — Sinner has reportedly focused heavily on athletic development. He is scheduled to participate in the Rome Masters 1000 and the ATP Hamburg Open as preparation for Roland Garros.
Steve Johnson Backs Sinner for French Open Glory
In a recent episode of the Nothing Major Podcast, former American tennis player Steve Johnson expressed strong confidence in Sinner’s chances:
“I like Sinner’s chances to win the French after getting a tournament in Rome under his belt. I think he’ll take the title and rack up the most points during the clay season.”
Johnson added that Sinner’s time away from official tournaments shouldn’t be mistaken for inactivity:
“He’s been off the match court, but that doesn’t mean he’s been off the court. He’s likely training hard every day. This time off could essentially serve as a mini off-season. I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns and hits the ground running.”
As the clay court swing heats up, all eyes will be on Jannik Sinner to see whether he can translate his hard court dominance to the red dirt of Roland Garros — and take one step closer to tennis history.
