"He is a role model for the next generation": Jannik Sinner honors Rafael Nadal after opening win at Roland Garros

After a convincing straight-sets win over Arthur Rinderknech in the first round, Jannik Sinner took a moment to reflect on Nadal’s impact. Standing near the newly unveiled tribute -Rafa's footprint- the Italian praised the 14-time champion as “a source of inspiration” and “a legend who changed the sport.”

Solid start for Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros on the last match scheduled at court Phillipe Chatrier. The Italian was too much to France's Arthur Rinderknech, who had his best chances against the world No. 1 in the third set, being up two breaks and then serving 5-3 to send everything to a forth one.

Jannik cruised past Rinderknech in the first and in the second set, but with the game on the line, the French played his absolute best, taking a lot of risks but hitting the ball with everything he got.

Still, Sinner took things with his traditional poise, waiting for his moment to counter-attack. Despite being up 4-1, Rinderknech lost his serve twice to give the three-time world champion a chance to close things definitely, and that's what Jannik did.

Despite playing against a French at home, Sinner handled the crowd pressure wonderfuly to secure his spot in the second round.

Former Spanish Roland Garros champion, Alex Corretja, joined Sinner after his victory to guide him to Rafa Nadal's brand new gift. As a tribute, French Open organization recognized the 22-time Grand Slam champion by immortalizing his foot right next to the new at court Phillipe Chatrier, to which Sinner reflected:

"Well, what what can I say? You know, he is a very special. The player I think we all know but mostly the the person he was and he still is he never changed with any success. He had a great family and he has a great family and now it's a new chapter for him. I think this is the least this core can do you know, to put his footprint here for 14 times winning this trophy. So I think we are all be very, very lucky to to share this moment with him."

He's a role model to all of us and I think, you know, the Next Generation. How he behaved on court, how he treats people, how how he's kind to every ball girl or ball boy and, um, it's just amazing. So, yeah, congrats to Rafa not only for the trophy, but also for this, it's, it's amazing. I think we all play our appreciate this when we play here on court.

Regarding his first round victory, the Italian said:

"First round matches are never easy, so I'm very happy with how I handled the situations especially in the third set. We played a couple of times before so we knew each other a little bit. He's an amazing player."

"I tried to focus on my side. I missed a couple of shots. He played very very well in the third set and I came back after the first break. I tried to gain confidence again and he made a couple of mistakes serving for the set so that gave me a little help. But yeah, I tried to keep a good mindset and the right attitude on court, " concluded the world No. 1

Jannik will now face another French player in the second round, Richard Gasquet. The 38-year-old veteran is playing in Roland Garros for the last time, so it's going to be another challenge for the reigning Australian Open champion.