Sinner’s Clay Evolution Makes Him French Open Favourite Ahead of Alcaraz Rematch
Jannik Sinner faces new pressure at Roland Garros as the favourite, not the challenger. Experts warn expectations could be the biggest test after last year’s epic final loss to Alcaraz.
Mental test looms for Sinner as French Open pressure shifts from challenger to favourite...
Jannik Sinner was once seen as an explosive talent built for hardcourt tennis, but the four-time Grand Slam champion’s focused work on patience and control has made him the player to beat on clay ahead of the French Open.
It was long assumed that in his era-defining rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner would collect more Grand Slam titles on faster surfaces while the Spaniard held the edge on red dirt.
Carlos Alcaraz, a seven-time major winner, remains a strong claycourt player and is the defending Roland Garros champion. But he lost to Sinner in the Monte Carlo final earlier this month and then suffered a wrist injury in Barcelona that has disrupted his Paris preparations.
Sinner’s progress continues this week in Madrid, which sits at a higher altitude than other European clay venues and speeds up the surface. That gives the 24-year-old another chance to show his adaptability.
“Here it's a very unique playing style,” Sinner said.
“It's a very high altitude, and it can be windy at times, so it's very difficult to play. But I think every different kind of claycourt can help me as I'm trying to improve as a player.”
Results at major tournaments show little separating Sinner and Alcaraz over the past couple of years, but former player and sports psychologist Jeff Greenwald believes some subtle differences are starting to emerge.
“Sinner, even more than Alcaraz, has this unflappable demeanour that is built from this deep love and appreciation of the process,” Greenwald said.
“He's the poster child for mastery, a desire to be as good as he can be, which overrides the ever-fluctuating, short-term obsession with this point, this win, that is almost always trading the short-term result for longer-term success.”
Discipline gives Sinner edge as pressure mounts
That focus on mastery over moments has steadily reshaped Sinner’s approach on clay. His tactical discipline and ability to handle uncertainty stand out as key advantages heading into the French Open, which starts May 24.
Sinner’s mental strength could be tested in a new way as he deals with the weight of expectation that comes with being seen by many as the favourite, not the challenger, over the next few weeks.
From Monte-Carlo to Madrid 🧡@janniksin begins his prep in the Spanish capital#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/CzCKsYNYVT
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 21, 2026
Greenwald said expectations are the most natural, yet potentially damaging, distractions even for great players.
“They try not to get preoccupied by them with the 'process mindset' as best they can, but most of the players are vulnerable to this reality, given that their livelihoods are on the line,” he added.
“This is where Sinner has an advantage... he didn't develop this (mindset) after becoming successful. It was baked into his training and development. So whether he's labelled a favourite by the media and other players, this will not affect him.
“More than anything, it'll only solidify the confidence, remarkable resilience and joy he brings to every match.”
If Alcaraz is fit to play, the French Open could be a major mental test for Sinner after he lost to his rival in last year’s epic title match.
Yet with the career Grand Slam at stake for the Italian, he wants Alcaraz across the net at Roland Garros.
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