Jannik Sinner is in a race against time to get fit for the Roland Garros and it appears the Italian is at the moment not so sure about it.
According to Italian media reports, earlier this week, the 2024 Australian Open champion was likely to miss the second Grand Slam of the season after sustaining a hip injury at Madrid Open that forced him to withdraw from the tournament and also pull out of the home event: Italian Open.
A compromised hip is an injury always feared by tennis players as the lateral movements in the court require flexibility and strength in the hip joint. There are rumors that Sinner has been advised to go easy on him and take a break from tennis for his own good so that the problem does not become chronic and harm his goals that he has just set.
Yet it seems the World No. 2 has not given up on his French Open hopes yet, with some sources suggesting he has spent the last week at the J-Medical center in Turin, a clinic linked to Italian football giants Juventus.
“J|Medical was devised by Juventus and Hexperience Medical Division S.r.l., bringing together the medical expertise of Italy’s biggest football club and the experience of one of the country’s leading healthcare operators in an innovative, first-rate set-up,” reads the description of the medical facility on their website.
“This includes a team of 60 top-level specialists, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, an avant-garde medical rehabilitation center befitting of professional athletes, multi-specialty clinics, two operating theatres for outpatient surgery and an organizational structure that enables patients to plan their recovery path without wasting time.
“The center is situated next to Juventus Museum in Allianz Stadium’s East Stand. It offers first-rate medical treatment, stringent clinical procedures and state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, all housed within a modern 3500m2 facility designed for comfort and efficiency, with outdoor areas for rehabilitation.”
Sinner would surely have the best medical treatment at his disposal at one of elite Italian medical facility and when a fan inquired him outside the entrance of the center whether he would participate at the French Open, he simply responded with a smile: “Let’s see”.
The two-word answer suggest that the 22-year-old may not have reached on a final conclusion. Sinner will become Italy’s first ever singles #1 and make history if Novak Djokovic doesn’t qualify for this year’s Roland Garros final.
Of course, Sinner would love to rise to seal the #1 spot of rankings with victories of his own and not by someone else’s failure and the Italian has been praised by 6-time major winner Paul Haarhuis who tipped the youngster to achieve tennis greatness if he can evade physical problems in his career.
“For an Italian, Sinner has a coolness we don’t normally see,” said Netherlands Davis Cup captain Paul Haarhuis while talking to Tennis365.
“The Italian players are often dramatic like they are in a theatre and they are going to take the lead role. Someone like Fabio Foggini did this and it was great, you get the popcorn and watch his match.
“Sinner is the German/Italian who just goes about his business and doesn’t look to get a lot of attention.
“His decision, his shot selection and everything about his game is so wonderful to watch. He is such a great player already.
“I love how humble he stays, how nice he is. He says hello to everybody, I love that from him. He is a great guy.
“With Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz coming along, it feels to me like tennis is in a great place for many years to come.”