"The numbers are starting to hurt him": Justine Henin weighs in after Jannik Sinner's Rome Open final loss against Carlos Alcaraz
ATP
Former WTA world No. 1, Justine Henin, shared her thoughts after Carlos Alcaraz's impressive win against Italy's Jannik Sinner to secure his first Rome Open title. The Spaniard now holds a 7-4 record against the world's No. 1, winning the last four matchups against him. Henin's words were perfectly clear, as she believes Alcaraz could even extend that mark if the two clash again on clay.
Sunday's showdown between the two best players in the world at the Eternal City had every tennis fan super excited. Both Sinner and Alcaraz arrived to the decisive matchup in very similar ways, with the Italian on an absolute hot streak of 26 consecutive wins, while Alcaraz had the psychological edge, having triumphed in their last three encounters. He was quickly labeled the "Sinner-stopper."
The two tennis superstars splitted the majors last year, winning two each. Sinner managed to succeed in Australia and the US Open, while Carlitos prevailed in both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Reflecting on the Rome final and their growing rivalry, Henin offered an insightful analysis:
"You feel he [Alcaraz] can rely on the accuracy and confidence acquired during the tie-break, and then he frees himself and it becomes a festival,” said the Belgian. “It’s totally instinctive, the confidence is there, and it can no longer escape him.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion emphazised the significance of Alcaraz' growing dominance, particularly on clay:
“The numbers are there, he’s taking the lead (in the head-to-head). That doesn’t mean it won’t change", she said. “We’ve seen Sinner’s solidity for a long time now, but we’ve also seen Alcaraz’s ability to transcend himself on final days. On this surface, he can take an even greater lead over Sinner.
Despite Sinner’s strong form, Henin pointed out that the mounting losses could weigh heavily on him at the same time that the Spaniard continues to show that he has the toolkit to challenge the world's best player:
“Alcaraz at his best, with the weapons he has, has everything he needs to shake up Sinner and cause him problems; he’s proven that enough.”
Carlos Alcaraz arrives to Roland Garros as an absolute force on clay winning in Monte-carlo & the Rome Open.
“Facing a Sinner who is gaining momentum, who has just returned, he has rediscovered the taste for this rivalry. The numbers are starting to hurt for Sinner, but we can count on him to find a solution.
Lastly, Henin picked up Alcaraz as her favorite to win it all heading into Roland Garros:
“This is his favourite time of year; it’s during this period that he’s currently at his strongest. He made an impression in Rome, and Roland Garros will be the major objective.”
At TennisUpToDate.com, our writer—who holds a degree in biochemistry—brings a two-year, research-driven mindset and a sharp editorial voice to every story he tackles. Whether he’s breaking news, dissecting tactical shifts, or crafting in-depth tournament narratives, his work consistently delivers clarity, depth, and a unique lens on the game.
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