Alexander Zverev Predicts How French Open Crowd Will Treat Jannik Sinner After Doping Ban

Jannik Sinner produced his best performance at the French Open last year as he progressed to the semifinals.

Alexander Zverev Predicts How French Open Crowd Will Treat Jannik Sinner After Doping Ban

Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner (Image via Instagram/Alexander Zverev, X/The Tennis Letter)

How the French Open crowd will react during Jannik Sinner‘s matches is one of the talking points of the tennis community. The World No.1 will be playing his third tournament of the season because he was forced to stay on the sidelines for three months because of the doping scandal.

The Italian Open was his comeback tournament. Given that he was the home favorite, the crowd roared and cheered for him whenever he was winning points. He performed exceptionally well and reached the final to the delight of the Foro Italico crowd.

Although his 26-match winning streak was broken by Carlos Alcaraz, and it did disappoint the crowd a bit, for sure their respect toward him didn’t decrease. The French crowd, on the other hand, has time and again annoyed the players, especially if they are up against French players. Given the doping scandal, Sinner could receive a barrage of boos.

The 23-year-old is convinced that the atmosphere will “definitely going to be different“. He knows how a crowd reacts when home favorites play (he has experienced this himself when he plays in Rome). For him, the crowd’s immense support for their compatriot is normal. His rival Alexander Zverev is of the opinion that Sinner will not at all be at the receiving end of the crowd’s boos and jeers.

I think Sinner is loved, and I think he will always be loved by tennis fans. If I’m in his shoes I’m not worried about the crowd too much.

Alexander Zverev said at the press conference

Zverev lost the French Open final last year to Alcaraz in a five-set thriller. He was denied his first Grand Slam again, this time, by Sinner, this January at the Australian Open. The Australian Open is the only title the young Italian has lifted so far this season.

Jannik Sinner reveals why he launched his YouTube channel

Jannik Sinner has become a YouTuber. He launched his YouTube channel this February.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (via ATP/X)

But so far, two vlogs (one about his second Australian Open title and one about his comeback in Rome) and three shorts are the only content he has uploaded. When Sinner was asked the reason why he started his YouTube channel, he said that he wants to connect with the fans by showing them some “funny clips and also behind the scenes and how we prepare for certain tournaments.”

Of course, as a tennis player, tennis is my priority. But on the other hand, I feel like fans don’t know what I’m like as a person. I’m very serious on the court. But off the court, I like to joke, I like to laugh, I like to smile. I try to make people understand that I’m not the machine. I’m just a normal person like everyone else.

Jannik Sinner said at the press conference

Jannik Sinner to face Arthur Rinderknech in the first round of the French Open

The French Open kick-started on May 25th and Sinner’s first-round match is scheduled on the following day. He will be meeting France’s Arthur Rinderknech against whom, he holds a 2-1 head-to-head record.

Jannik Sinner (4)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Sinner, however, was defeated the time they met on clay, in the fourth round in Lyon back in 2021. If he reaches the final, he could meet Carlos Alcaraz.

For the first time, Sinner and Alcaraz are first and second seeds at a Grand Slam tournament. Alcaraz removed Alexander Zverev from the second spot after winning the Italian Open. Against the young Spaniard, the three-time Grand Slam champion is 4-7 in the head-to-head record and lost the last four matches they played against each other.

Also read: Andy Roddick Predicts How Far Iga Swiatek Will Go at the French Open After Being Handed “The Most Brutal Draw”