Toni Nadal, the former coach of Rafael Nadal, has suggested that Novak Djokovic might not be the favorite to win the French Open this year but still possesses a tactic that could trouble Jannik Sinner on clay. Speaking on Radioestacio Noche, Nadal highlighted Djokovic's approach during last year's French Open semifinal as a blueprint for unsettling the Italian star.
Djokovic's Slower Game Plan Against Sinner
In the 2025 semifinal on Court Philippe Chatrier, Sinner defeated Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) in straight sets. However, Nadal noted that Djokovic managed to break the rhythm that makes Sinner so dangerous from the baseline. 'I think the one who played well against him was Djokovic last year, when he played a slightly slower game with slightly higher balls,' Nadal said. 'It's clear that what Sinner does best is play at a very high tempo.'
Nadal emphasized that slowing down the pace is key to pushing Sinner out of his comfort zone. He also compared the current field to previous generations of clay-court specialists, pointing out that Sinner faces fewer elite clay-court players than past champions did. 'I remember his frustration at playing on clay, but he's no David Ferrer, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka or Juan Martin Del Potro on clay,' Nadal added. 'He gave Sinner a bit of a run for his money, but in sport everything can change overnight.'
Sinner's Favorites Status and Djokovic's Experience
The timing of Nadal's comments is significant because Sinner enters the tournament as one of the biggest favorites. Carlos Alcaraz is not expected to play, while Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz are dealing with fitness concerns. This leaves the draw more open, giving experienced players like Djokovic a possible chance to make another deep run, even without much clay-court preparation this season.
Nadal also said Djokovic showed during last year's semifinal that Sinner can still feel pressure in the biggest moments. 'You have to look at the calibre of the players you're up against. And I remember that last year Djokovic clearly put Sinner under pressure. Anything can happen, and the players coming up behind must fight as if it were the match of their lives. And then we'll see.'
Djokovic's Potential Threat at Roland Garros
Even with questions around his clay form this season, Djokovic's experience and ability to adjust during matches could still make him one of the biggest threats to Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros. While Sinner remains the favorite, Djokovic's slower style and tactical nous might be the key to causing an upset in Paris.
