Henman’s Bold Call: Alcaraz Still Favored Over Sinner at Roland Garros

Former British No. 1 Tim Henman has stirred up the tennis world with his prediction for a potential Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner showdown at the French Open 2025. Despite Sinner’s impressive form, Henman believes Alcaraz holds the edge, citing his clay-court prowess and head-to-head record. Here’s a breakdown of Henman’s analysis and the factors influencing his pick.

Alcaraz’s Clay Court Credentials

Henman emphasized Alcaraz’s strong performances on clay leading up to the French Open. Alcaraz recently secured a straight-sets victory against Sinner in the Italian Open final, showcasing his dominance on the surface. This win, according to Henman, demonstrates that the defending champion is in top form and deserves to be considered the favorite.

Alcaraz is chasing his 11th clay-court title and third on the surface this year, following the Monte Carlo Masters and the Italian Open.

Head-to-Head Advantage

Alcaraz holds a 7-4 head-to-head lead over Sinner, including wins in their last three encounters. This statistical advantage further solidifies Henman’s confidence in Alcaraz’s ability to triumph in a potential Roland Garros final.

Alcaraz’s Disruptive Game

While Sinner has been lauded for his powerful ball-striking, Henman cautioned that Alcaraz’s speed and ability to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm could pose a significant challenge. Drawing on insights from former world No. 1 Mats Wilander, Henman highlighted Alcaraz’s agility and strategic play as key factors that could unsettle Sinner’s game.

Wilander also observed some weaknesses in Sinner’s clay court game, particularly when the courts are fast. He noted that Sinner plays very close to the baseline, and at times in Rome against Alcaraz, it seemed like he didn’t have enough time to recover because he plays so aggressively, and the surface is so slippery.

Sinner’s Strengths and Potential Vulnerabilities

Sinner, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, has had a remarkable season, including winning his second consecutive Australian Open in January. However, Henman and Wilander pointed out potential vulnerabilities in Sinner’s game, especially on clay.

• Clay Court Experience: The Italian ace has clinched only one title on the red dirt (the 2022 Umag Open), which is way less than Alcaraz.

• Adjustment to Clay: Wilander suggested that if conditions were heavy enough to slow the pace on court, then Sinner would be a threat, but on balance, backed Alcaraz as the obvious frontrunner.

Alcaraz’s Recent Form and Confidence

Alcaraz’s victory at the Italian Open, where he beat Sinner in straight sets, has undoubtedly boosted his confidence heading into the French Open. Overcoming leg problems that forced him to miss the Madrid Open, Alcaraz has demonstrated resilience and determination.

Wilander’s Perspective

Three-time French Open winner Mats Wilander has also weighed in on the potential Alcaraz-Sinner matchup. Wilander believes that Alcaraz is the “clear favorite” at Roland Garros this year. He expressed some concern about Sinner’s clay court game, especially when the courts become fast and dry.

Wilander observed, “He plays so close to the baseline. At times against Carlos Alcaraz in Rome, it seemed like he didn’t have enough time to recover, because he plays so aggressively, and the surface is so slippery.” However, Wilander also acknowledged that Sinner could be “dangerous” if the conditions are heavy and slow.

The Nadal Factor

With Rafael Nadal’s absence from the French Open, the stage is set for a new player to become the dominant force on clay. Nadal won the French Grand Slam a record 14 times, and his absence creates an opportunity for players like Alcaraz and Sinner to establish themselves as the next king of clay.

Key Considerations for Alcaraz

Despite his strengths, Alcaraz has been known to experience lapses in concentration during matches. Henman warned that if Alcaraz has these dips against a player like Sinner in the final, Sinner will take advantage. Sinner tends to be more consistent in his focus and intensity throughout matches.

Sinner’s Road to the Quarterfinals

Sinner has been in impressive form at the French Open, not dropping a set in the tournament so far. He has shown relentless ball-striking ability, as demonstrated in his matches against Jiri Lehecka and Andrey Rublev.

Alcaraz’s Journey

Alcaraz has faced some challenges during his matches, losing three sets in three different matches, including one against Ben Shelton in the fourth round. However, he has shown resilience and the ability to overcome these obstacles.

Other Key Players in the Mix

While the focus is on Alcaraz and Sinner, other players could also contend for the French Open title. Novak Djokovic, the winner of the Paris 2024 Olympics on the Roland Garros clay, and Alexander Zverev, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist, are both strong contenders.

The Future of Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz said his budding rivalry with Jannik Sinner was good for the sport, as the Spaniard prepares to begin his Roland Garros campaign, which could culminate with a blockbuster final against the Italian top seed. Alcaraz and Sinner have shared the last five Grand Slam titles between them.

Conclusion

Tim Henman’s backing of Carlos Alcaraz as the favorite to win the French Open 2025 highlights the Spaniard’s clay-court prowess, head-to-head advantage, and disruptive style of play. While Jannik Sinner is a formidable opponent, Alcaraz’s recent form and confidence make him a strong contender for the title. As the French Open progresses, tennis fans eagerly anticipate a potential Alcaraz vs. Sinner final, which promises to be a thrilling battle between two of the sport’s brightest stars.