Ruthless Jannik Sinner may be exposed at the French Open. Here is the tutorial

French Open 2026: Frances Tiafoe believes Jannik Sinner is beatable at Roland Garros if his opponents can unsettle him mentally, despite the Italian being overwhelming favorite in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz.

Frances Tiafoe said Jannik Sinner can be beaten at the French Open. Courtesy: Reuters

Jannik Sinner is undoubtedly in the form of his life. In the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, he is considered the heavy favorite to win the French Open, the only Grand Slam title he has yet to win in his career. But is the world number one beatable? Frances Tiafoe certainly believes that.

Tiafoe, who has beaten Sinner once in six meetings, described him as an amazing player but refused to put him on a pedestal. The American also explained how Roland Garros players can get the better of the Italian star.

The world number 22 believes that if Sinner can be mentally unsettled and taken out of his comfort zone, he can be beaten. Tiafoe added that top players are more than capable of overcoming Sinner, who is aiming to complete a career Grand Slam.

“Yeah, I mean, he’s a heck of a player. I’m not going to sit here and keep putting him on a pedestal. He’s a heck of a player, and obviously he’s doing monumental things. But I think we have to believe that you’re going to be up to the task and beat him. Everybody’s capable, especially the best. Guys are capable to reporters,” Tiafoe said.

“I think the biggest thing is to get him off his high horse mentally. I think we all put him in a different stratosphere that he is, but you have to create a little bit of an illusion to get yourself right to get over the line,” Tiafoe added.

JANNIK THE SINNER WALKING

Sinner has been in incredible form, winning six consecutive Masters 1000 titles. He recently became youngest player to complete Career Golden Masters after clinching the Italian Open title at home. He also holds the record for consecutive Masters wins (34), surpassing Novak Djokovic’s 31 set in 2011.

In the opening round of the French Open, Sinner will face world number one Clement Tabur. After winning Wimbledon last year, Sinner fell short in the US Open final before being eliminated by Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open. He narrowly missed out on the title at the French Open last year, but given his current form, there’s a good chance he’ll lift the trophy this time around.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

24 May 2026 10:22 IST

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