Tennis

Jannik Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion and current world No. 2, faces an injury cloud as he arrives at Roland Garros. Having withdrawn from the Mutua Madrid Open and the Internazionali BNL d'Italia due to a right hip issue, Sinner's fitness will be a major concern for his title hopes.His first-round opponent, Christopher Eubanks, is a familiar face, having lost to Sinner in straight sets at the 2022 US Open. However, Eubanks is a fan favorite and a former Tennis Channel analyst who has shown glimpses of his potential in the past.Eubanks, a 6'7" American, is a two-time All-American from Georgia Tech. After struggling to make an impact on the ATP tour initially, he began to rise up the rankings in 2023. He earned his first Grand Slam main-draw win at the Australian Open and reached the quarterfinals of the Miami Open.In the summer of 2023, Eubanks won his first ATP title on grass in Mallorca and stunned Stefanos Tsitsipas en route to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. However, he has struggled to replicate that form this season, heading into Paris on a six-match losing streak.The key to Eubanks' chances against Sinner will be his ability to test the Italian's movement on clay, a surface where Sinner has historically struggled. Eubanks' height and reach could be an advantage, and he will need to draw positive energy from the Roland Garros crowd if he hopes to pull off the upset.The match between Sinner and Eubanks will take place on Court Suzanne-Lenglen on Monday.

The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, is set to witness a potential shift in the men's tennis landscape. For the first time in two decades, there is no clear favorite for the title, as the dominance of the Big Three (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic) wanes.Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion, has been struggling with injuries and has not won a title since the Australian Open in January. Djokovic, the defending champion, has also endured a dip in form, losing in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the semifinals of the Italian Open.This has opened the door for a new generation of players to challenge for the title. Carlos Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish sensation, is the world No. 3 and has been touted as the next big thing on clay. However, he has been hampered by a right forearm injury and has not played competitively in over a month.Another contender is Jannik Sinner, the 22-year-old Italian who won the Rotterdam and Miami titles this year. However, he has also been struggling with a right hip injury and has not played since the Madrid Open.Other hopefuls include Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Alexander Zverev. Ruud has reached the French Open final the last two years, while Tsitsipas won the Monte Carlo title this year. Zverev, who reached the semifinals in Paris the last three years, is coming off a victory at the Italian Open.With so many contenders and no clear favorite, this year's French Open promises to be a fascinating and unpredictable tournament.

Jannik Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion, is poised to make a strong bid for the Roland Garros title despite recent injury concerns. The 22-year-old Italian has been battling a hip issue that forced him to withdraw from the Rome Masters. However, recent social media posts and the presence of his coach, Darren Cahill, in Paris suggest that Sinner is determined to compete.Sinner's odds of winning Roland Garros have improved to +500 following the injury news, presenting a potentially lucrative opportunity for bettors. Most sportsbooks offer refunds if Sinner withdraws before the tournament, making it a low-risk, high-reward wager.Despite his relative lack of success on clay, Sinner has proven to be a formidable opponent on all surfaces. He boasts an impressive 28-3 record this season, ranking first in the world in hold percentage and third in break percentage. His elite baseline play, powerful forehand and backhand, and improved variety make him a threat to any opponent.TennisViz and Tennis Data Innovations rank Sinner as the world's top performer on clay in 2024, with the highest Shot Quality on both forehand and backhand. While there remains a possibility that Sinner may withdraw, the odds of him competing and performing at a high level are strong.

Jiri Lehecka Withdraws from Roland Garros Due to Back InjuryJiri Lehecka's impressive run at the Mutua Madrid Open came to an abrupt end when a back injury forced him to withdraw from the semifinals. The unfortunate setback has also led to the Czech player's withdrawal from the upcoming Roland Garros tournament.Lehecka's injury is a significant blow to his promising season. The 22-year-old had matched his career-high ranking of No. 23 in January and was poised for a deep run in Madrid. However, the back injury has derailed his momentum, leaving him unable to compete at Roland Garros.Lehecka joins Marin Cilic and Facundo Diaz Acosta as the third ATP player to withdraw from the French Open due to injury. The absence of these top players will undoubtedly impact the tournament's competitiveness.Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner, who also suffered an injury in Madrid, has provided an update on his condition. The world No. 2 posted photos on social media showing him training on red clay in Monte Carlo, accompanied by the caption "Let's work." Sinner's status for Roland Garros remains uncertain, but his determination to recover is evident.In other news, Emma Raducanu has decided to skip Roland Garros qualifying to focus on preparing for the grass-court season. The 2021 US Open champion has not played since a first-round exit in Madrid, where she admitted to feeling "mentally and emotionally" exhausted. Raducanu, who used a protected ranking to enter the French Open, was three spots out of a main-draw spot."It's important for me to keep laying on the foundations," Raducanu said. "I will use the time to do a healthy block before the grass and subsequent hard-court seasons to give myself a chance to keep fit for the rest of the year."Qualifying for Roland Garros begins on Monday, with two-time finalist Dominic Thiem facing Franco Agamenone on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Former world No. 10 Lucas Pouilles will take on Hamad Medjedovic, while Americans Lauren Davis, Alycia Parks, Claire Liu, and Denis Kudla are among those competing in the qualifying rounds.

World number two Jannik Sinner is racing against time to recover from a right hip injury and participate in the upcoming French Open. The Italian star missed the Rome Open due to the ailment but has resumed training on a clay court in Monaco, eight days before the start of Roland Garros on May 26.Sinner's social media posts on Saturday evening featured images of him practicing with a racquet, accompanied by emojis representing a sword and the French flag, symbolizing his determination to compete in Paris.The Australian Open champion had previously stated that he would only participate in the French Open if he was fully fit. The hip injury forced him to withdraw from the Madrid Open at the start of the month before his quarter-final match."I don't want to go into details (of the injury)," Sinner said at a press conference announcing his absence from Rome. "We thought initially that it wasn't anything serious, but the scans showed that there was something that wasn't right.""One thing is sure, if I've not 100 percent recovered, I will take more time out as I do not want to lose three years of my career."Despite the setback, Sinner remains optimistic about his chances of playing in Paris. "My preparation for Paris won't be optimal because I won't have much time, but what is sure is that I will give everything in order to be in a position to play," he said.The 22-year-old has enjoyed a successful season so far, winning the Australian Open in January and claiming his second Masters 1000 title in Miami in March. His participation in the French Open would be a major boost for the tournament and would add to the excitement surrounding the second Grand Slam of the season.

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has faced a challenging start to 2024, raising questions about his fitness and confidence. Despite his recent struggles, experts believe that Djokovic's experience and mental fortitude will allow him to remain a formidable opponent.Jannik Sinner, the 22-year-old Italian, has emerged as a leading contender in the ATP rankings. His improved mental toughness, physical strength, and versatile baseline game have propelled him to the top of the pack. Experts predict that Sinner has the potential to dominate the sport in the coming years.Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spaniard, has experienced a recent downturn in form due to injuries and missed time. Despite his spectacular shotmaking abilities, Alcaraz needs to develop a clearer strategy and identity as a server. Experts believe that if he can overcome his health issues, Alcaraz has the talent to challenge for Grand Slam titles.The ongoing shake-up in the ATP game has created a competitive landscape where young players are pushing the boundaries of the sport. Djokovic's experience and Sinner's consistency make them strong contenders, while Alcaraz's potential remains immense. The upcoming Grand Slam tournaments will provide a crucial test for these players as they vie for supremacy in the tennis world.

The 2023 Rome Masters, the second of the two-week Masters 1000 events, is set to commence with a star-studded field despite some notable withdrawals.Novak Djokovic, a six-time champion in Rome, returns after skipping Madrid. His quarter features Casper Ruud, who defeated him in Monte Carlo. Djokovic's form remains uncertain after parting ways with his coach and physio.Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov, once promising contenders on clay, have struggled this season. Zverev's quarter includes Mariano Navone and Alexander Bublik, while Dimitrov could face Lorenzo Musetti and Taylor Fritz.Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, winners of the previous two clay Masters 1000s, lead the third quarter. Rublev faces Arthur Fils, while Tsitsipas could encounter Alex de Minaur or Felix Auger-Aliassime.Defending champion Daniil Medvedev remains in the draw despite an injury in Madrid. His quarter features Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe. Rafael Nadal, playing his final Rome tournament, will face a qualifier in the first round.Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have withdrawn due to injuries, leaving a void in the field. However, the tournament promises exciting matchups and a chance for players to fine-tune their game before the French Open.

The one-handed backhand, once a staple of tennis, has faced a decline in recent years as two-handed backhands have become more prevalent. However, at the Mutua Madrid Open, some of the sport's top two-handed backhanders showcased their skills with the one-handed shot.Mirra Andreeva, Ons Jabeur, Taylor Fritz, and Jannik Sinner all attempted the one-handed backhand, with varying degrees of success. Sinner, who has often praised the one-handed backhand, admitted to not being proficient at the shot.Fritz and Ben Shelton engaged in a friendly competition, with Fritz expressing confidence in his consistency. However, he later conceded the title of best U.S. one-hander to Sebastian Korda, whose stroke he described as "clean af."The collective efforts of the players were met with praise from Carla Suárez Navarro, a former top-10 player known for her iconic one-handed backhand. "Not bad," she wrote in the comments.Suárez Navarro's absence from the game has been felt by fans and peers alike. "Yours was so good!" Daria Saville replied. "I miss it."Despite the resurgence of the one-handed backhand at the Mutua Madrid Open, it remains to be seen whether it will experience a wider revival. However, the efforts of these top players have shown that the shot still has a place in the modern game.

Jannik Sinner Withdraws from Italian Open Due to Hip Injury, Joining Carlos Alcaraz on SidelinesROME, Italy - The Italian Open has suffered a major blow with the withdrawal of second-ranked Jannik Sinner due to a hip injury. The news comes just a day after third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz also pulled out of the tournament with a right forearm injury.Sinner's absence is a significant loss for the tournament, as he is one of Italy's most promising tennis players and a fan favorite. The 22-year-old made history in January by becoming the first Italian man to win a Grand Slam singles title in nearly half a century at the Australian Open.In a statement on social media, Sinner expressed his disappointment at having to withdraw from the Italian Open. "It's not easy to write this message," he wrote. "After talking with doctors and specialists again about my hip problems, I have to announce that unfortunately I can't play in Rome."Sinner also withdrew from his quarterfinal match against Felix Auger-Aliassime in Madrid this week due to the same hip injury. Auger-Aliassime went on to reach the final, where he will face No. 7 seed Andrey Rublev on Sunday.The Italian Open is one of the most prestigious clay-court tournaments on the ATP Tour and is considered a warm-up event for the French Open. Sinner's withdrawal leaves a void in the field, but it also opens up opportunities for other players to make a mark.