Before facing Gasquet, Sinner pays tribute to the Biterrois: "He gave so much for this sport".

© AFP

Elio Valotto

le 29/05/2024 à 16h51

2 min to read

Gasquet Roland Garros Sinner

In 2024, Jannik Sinner is the best player on the planet. Having already won three titles this season (Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami), it's almost an anomaly to see him arrive in Paris without a title on clay. Physically hampered in Monte-Carlo and, above all, Madrid, it was with a hip in remission that he launched his Roland-Garros tournament.

A solid winner over Christopher Eubanks in the first round (6-3, 6-3, 6-4), he nevertheless failed to shine. Not yet at the top of his game, the Italian is still breaking in and hopes to be back to full fitness for the second week of the tournament.

As he prepares to play his second-round match in the night session on Wednesday, the world number 2 spoke about his future opponent: Richard Gasquet. Well aware that he will be facing one of the legends of French tennis, Sinner was keen to pay tribute to his future opponent: "I can't wait. It's going to be a very tough match. Playing a French player here is very difficult. Especially against Richard, who has tremendous support here. I'm looking forward to it. He's given so much to this sport. It's great to see him on court. He's as talented as ever, so I have to be at my best if I want to win."

On a Philippe Chatrier court that is likely to be overheated, the transalpine will need to keep his nerves in check and impose his striking power if he is to avoid a longer-than-expected match. Indeed, Gasquet's experience suggests that he'll be looking to use his finesse shots to unsettle his opponent. Still struggling with a thigh injury, the winner of the last Australian Open will still have to be vigilant, particularly when it comes to forward runs.