Jannik Sinner will aim to complete his career Grand Slam this year at the French Open. His odds of winning the title rose significantly after defending Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew his name from the tournament.
Tennis Weekly podcast host Joel Girling recently made a controversial comment about adding an asterisk next to Sinner’s career Grand Slam accomplishment. Girling thinks winning the Grand Slam in Alcaraz’s absence warrants the asterisk.
“I would have to say there is an asterisk there because he has not faced what I would say is the greatest player at the moment on a clay court, which is Carlos Alcaraz,” Girling said.
Girling also compared a situation with Roger Federer.
“I think it would warrant a little bit of an asterisk,” Girling added. “It’s a little bit like when Roger Federer won the French Open and he got a little bit of a helping hand, I believe from Robin Söderling, who defeated Nadal. So if there is a similarity, I think it could be a little bit like that.”
After hearing this, Jannik Sinner’s fans spoke in unison, slamming the podcast host trying to downplay Sinner’s potential achievement.
“What a dumb take. When has the @atptour or any “history book” ever put an asterisk after someone’s name because another great player wasn’t in the tournament?” one fan wrote. “Maybe some empty-headed tennis commentators will add an asterisk and bloviate about it. But no one else will care.”
“By that logic, Carlos should have an asterisk next to his No 1’s because on both occasions his direct competitors (Djokovic & Sinner) were either suspended or ineligible to play major tournaments….” another fan reacted.
“What a ridiculous statement. Do you think tennis is a round robin between the top 2/3 players? Just because Dull got owned by Soderling doesn’t make Federer’s win invalid. Federer showed up to the final for 4 years in a row, whilst Dull couldn’t do it. Likewise it’s not,” one fan commented.
“Quick question…if Fonseca or fils or even Djokovic wins Roland-Garros this year, without Alcaraz in the draw, would there also be an asterisk? Or do you reserve that asterisk only for sinner?” one fan asked.
“‘Jannik needs to prove himself at bo5.’ He beat Carlos at Wimbledon, you donut 😒” one fan reacted.
Jannik Sinner Shows Massive Respect For Carlos Alcaraz After Spaniard’s Roland Garros Withdrawal
The wrist injury Carlos Alcaraz sustained in Barcelona has forced the World No. 2 to skip the Rome Masters and the French Open this year. It makes Jannik Sinner’s road to the title a little easier since Alcaraz defeated him in the French Open finals last season.
After news of his withdrawal came out, Sinner paid tribute to Alcaraz, calling him an integral part of modern tennis. The Italian said Alcaraz will be missed in the tournament.
“I think what’s most important is to say that, first of all, tennis needs Carlos. Tennis is a much better sport when he’s around. For me personally, it’s nice when he’s around. It also makes me look in the draw and see the matches differently, even though if I were to face Carlos, it would always be in the final,” Sinner said.
Sinner also lauded Alcaraz’s decision to prioritize the future over short-term gains with respect to his wrist injury.
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