Adriano Panatta Can’t Wait to Hand Roland Garros Trophy to ‘Strongest Player’ Jannik Sinner After Historic Rome Win

Jannik Sinner etched his name in the record books once again this year. In the Italian Open final, held on Sunday (May 17), Sinner clinched a 6-4, 6-4 win over Casper Ruud to become the second man to complete the Career Golden Masters after Novak Djokovic.

The Serb achieved the feat at the age of 31 after winning the 2018 Cincinnati Masters, but Sinner did it at just 24. Sinner is also the first man to win six consecutive Masters 1000s, with his streak starting at the 2025 Paris Masters.

Sinner returned to the tour after his doping ban at the Italian Open last year, but he lost the title to his arch-rival, Carlos Alcaraz. His win in his home tournament has made him the first Italian man to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

The 75-year-old was at Foro Italico during the final and also presented the trophy to the four-time Grand Slam champion. Panatta has confirmed he will also be there on Court Philippe-Chatrier for the trophy presentation at the French Open, where his compatriot will be bidding to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Handing over the Rome trophy to Sinner? Fifty years is a long time, and I’m definitely very happy about it. Rome had been waiting for a champion like this for so long. I really wanted to pass him this famous baton, because we’re talking about Jannik Sinner, the strongest player in the world. For me, doing it is a source of pride.

Adriano Panatta told La Gazzetta dello Sport

Sinner came close to winning the French Open last year as he not only had a two-set lead but also three match points in the fourth set. But he squandered them all and it saw Alcaraz defend his title.

I reminded him that I’ll also be in Paris to present the trophy to the winner, since it’s the 50th anniversary of my Roland Garros triumph as well. And I told him I’m waiting for him—I really want to repeat the ceremony. He replied: ‘Let’s hope so.’ He can do it if he stays calm.

Adriano Panatta added

Sinner will also be completing the Surface Slam if he wins in Paris. He is on a record-extending 34-match winning streak in Masters 1000s, previously breaking Djokovic’s record of 31 match wins.

Jannik Sinner says winning nine Masters 1000s in a single season is unrealistic

Because he is Jannik Sinner, the tennis world has already started expecting him to win the remaining four Masters 1000s of the season: the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Masters, Shanghai Masters, and the Paris Masters. But Sinner thinks winning the nine Masters 1000s in a calendar year is an unrealistic goal.

We have to go tournament by tournament. The most important thing is to be in good physical condition because otherwise, you won’t get anywhere. Thinking about winning all nine Masters 1000 is unrealistic. It’s impossible to maintain this level throughout the season.

Jannik Sinner said at the press conference

It was in the third round of the 2025 Shanghai Masters when Sinner last lost a match in this ATP category. Because of cramps, Sinner handed the walkover to Tallon Griekspoor.

The last time Sinner lost a match was in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open against Jakub Mensik, prior to which, Novak Djokovic dashed his hope of completing the three-peat at the Australian Open.

Sinner, now a 10-time Masters 1000 champion, clinched his 16th Big Title in Rome. Last year in the Masters 1000s, Sinner reached the finals of the Italian Open, Cincinnati Open, and the Paris Masters. He lost in Rome and Cincinnati to Carlos Alcaraz.

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