Novak Djokovic will not be the favourite to win the French Open this 12 months, however Toni Nadal believes the Serbian nonetheless is aware of one strategy to bother Jannik Sinner on clay. The previous coach of Rafael Nadal stated Djokovic’s method throughout final 12 months’s French Open semifinal confirmed that Sinner can nonetheless be pushed out of his consolation zone if the match slows down. Sinner defeated Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) in that semifinal on Courtroom Philippe Chatrier in 2025. Though the Italian gained in straight units, Djokovic managed to interrupt the rhythm that often makes Sinner so harmful from the baseline. Toni Nadal now feels that tactic may once more grow to be essential if the 2 stars meet in Paris this season.The timing of Nadal’s feedback is essential as a result of Sinner enters the match as one of many largest favorites for the title. Carlos Alcaraz will not be anticipated to play, whereas Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz are coping with health issues. That leaves the draw extra open and provides skilled gamers like Djokovic a attainable likelihood to make one other deep run, even with out a lot clay-court preparation this season.
Toni Nadal says Novak Djokovic’s slower model may disrupt Jannik Sinner on the French Open
Talking on Radioestacio Noche, Toni Nadal defined why Djokovic’s sport plan labored higher than most gamers in opposition to Sinner on clay final 12 months. In line with Nadal, Sinner is most comfy when factors are performed at a really quick pace, so slowing issues down turns into essential. “I believe the one who performed properly in opposition to him was Djokovic final 12 months, when he performed a barely slower sport with barely increased balls,” Nadal stated.“It’s clear that what Sinner does greatest is play at a really excessive tempo, and let’s not overlook that, if we now have to categorise Medvedev amongst clay-court gamers, he isn’t within the high 10.”Nadal additionally in contrast the present discipline to earlier generations of high clay-court gamers. He identified that some former stars had been a lot stronger on the floor than most of the gamers Sinner is dealing with now. “I keep in mind his frustration at taking part in on clay, however he’s no David Ferrer, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka or Juan Martin Del Potro on clay,” Nadal added. “He gave Sinner a little bit of a run for his cash, however in sport all the pieces can change in a single day.”Toni Nadal additionally stated Djokovic confirmed throughout final 12 months’s semifinal that Sinner can nonetheless really feel strain within the largest moments. “You must have a look at the calibre of the gamers you’re up in opposition to. And I keep in mind that final 12 months Djokovic clearly put Sinner beneath strain. Something can occur, and the gamers arising behind should combat as if it had been the match of their lives. After which we’ll see.”Even with questions round his clay type this season, Djokovic’s expertise and skill to regulate throughout matches may nonetheless make him one of many largest threats to Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros.