A brief break from the courts hasn’t hindered Jannik Sinner’s momentum, yet Australian tennis sensation Thanasi Kokkinakis asserts there is only one competitor capable of challenging the world No. 1 if he hopes to reach the finals at Roland Garros.
Sinner made his return to the competitive circuit at the Italian Open last week, marking his first tournament since serving a three-month suspension for doping.
An impressive performance throughout the event set the stage for Sinner to face world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the final, but unfortunately, he was unable to secure another title.
Alcaraz’s victory represented his fourth successive win over Sinner, establishing him as the only player to have defeated the Italian more than once over the last two years.
Despite never having faced each other in a grand slam final, both players are considered favourites to meet at Roland Garros this season.
Italy’s Jannik Sinner gestures towards Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz during their men’s singles final match at the Rome Open. Getty
“To be honest, if they both reach the final, the only player who can really challenge him is Alcaraz,” Kokkinakis remarked to Wide World of Sports regarding the anticipated final.
“He possesses the highest calibre to overcome him, yet I believe Sinner will enter as the favourite.
“Of course, he would have preferred a few more preparatory tournaments, but he wasn’t sidelined due to injury during this time. I’m convinced he was training consistently and his body is fit and ready (to compete).
“Reaching the final in Rome during his first tournament back and losing to Alcaraz in a match where he had two set points in the first set, I believe (Sinner) will be the favourite.”
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Kokkinakis, however, won’t be competing in the 2025 draw as he continues his recovery from a persistent pectoral injury, which required surgery in February.
Despite a “rough year” behind him, he remains hopeful about making a return to the clay courts in Paris next season.
Thanasi Kokkinakis interacts with fellow Australian Alex de Minaur. Getty Images for ITF
In the meantime, he will be cheering on top-ranked Australian Alex de Minaur as he embarks on his campaign to advance in the grand slam.
“I believe he has a solid chance,” Kokkinakis said regarding de Minaur.
“He has established himself as a top-eight player with his consistent performances.
“De Minaur faces a tricky opponent in the first round, Laslo Djere, but as the ninth seed, he’s favoured to win.
“He just needs to handle his first-round match effectively—over five sets, Alex is incredibly fit and fast, making him a tough contender for anyone.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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