Jannik Sinner has called Rafael Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion, an inspiration in the game of tennis. This year’s Roland Garros season will mark Nadal’s last one.
Sinner lauded Nadal for his unwavering commitment to training as his career draws to an end during the pre-tournament press conference at Roland Garros.
Sinner stated his remarks about Nadal and said: “Rafa is the greatest inspiration we have in our sport, perhaps not only in our sport but in sport in general. I’m lucky to be here, that I can continue to see him in the locker room, in the players’ restaurant or see him training with the passion he has. It’s incredible.”
Sinner says that he counts himself fortunate to be able to see Nadal in the locker room. Sinner further said: “It’s tough to play against him here. I think everyone would agree on that. But for me, it was very good, because it’s one point, especially when I was younger, to see where I have to improve. In this kind of match, when you play against the best players in the world, it’s a special feeling. In the beginning, you’re surprised because you are not used to playing against the best. But this is what I am searching for every week when I want to measure myself against the best players in the world. Then you have good feedback where you have to improve.”
He concluded his discussion and said: “I think it’s all about trying to understand what makes you a better player, not only tennis-wise but also physically and mentally. He’s for sure the biggest inspiration we have in our sport, no? Maybe not only in our sport but in sports in general. I consider myself lucky that I’m here, that I can still see him, in the locker room or the players’ restaurant, or seeing him practice with the passion he has, it’s amazing.”
🥹🇮🇹🇪🇸 Jannik Sinner on Rafael Nadal:
“Rafa is the greatest inspiration we have in our sport, perhaps not only in our sport, but in sport in general. I’m lucky to be here, that I can continue to see him in the locker room, in the players’ restaurant or see him training with the… pic.twitter.com/CA7TGZ7VAt
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) May 24, 2024
Jannik Sinner says Rafa Nadal is one of the biggest inspirations we have in our sport, ‘I consider myself lucky I can still see him in the locker room’
“Can you talk about what it is like to play Rafa on clay at Roland Garros? You played him here a few years ago”
Jannik: “It’s… pic.twitter.com/j9KBFdtrGO
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 24, 2024
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Ranked world no.276, Rafael played his last match on the 11th of May when he lost to world no.8 Hubert Hurkacz 6-1 6-3 in the 2nd round in Rome (draw).
Until now, during this year Rafael achieved a 7-4 win-loss record.
Rafael Nadal will face the world no.4 Alexander Zverev in the 1st round. Their current record is 7-3 for Nadal.
Nadal won 92 titles in his career: 24 on hard courts, 63 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Wimbledon (Wimbledon) after French Open. The main draw will start on the 26th of May.
Jannik Sinner in 2024
LWWWWWWWWL Now the world no.2 (career-high), the Italian played his last match on the 30th of April when he defeated world no.18 Karen Khachanov 5-7 6-3 6-3 in the 4th round in Madrid (draw).
At the moment, during this season Sinner owns a compiled 28-2 win-loss record. Jannik conquered 3 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam and Miami.
Jannik Sinner will take on the world no.43 Christopher Eubanks in the 1st round. Their current head to head is 1-0 for Sinner.
Jannik conquered 3 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam and Miami.
The Italian won 14 titles in his career: 6 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 7 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Sinner is scheduled to compete next at the French Open (French Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 26th of May.
Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner played each other 3 times. Their current head to head is 3-0 for Nadal. Previously, the last time they played, Rafael Nadal won 7-5 6-3 6-0 in the 4th round in Paris (French Open) in June 2021.
Here are the highlights.
