Novak Djokovic is set to return to the ATP Tour at the Masters in Rome after a two-month break, kicking off his preparation for the French Open. According to former French professional Arnaud Clement, the Serbian star might be the only player capable of threatening Jannik Sinner at the Grand Slam in Paris.
“Djokovic can physically outlast Sinner on this surface,” Clement told “Eurosport France,” explaining his prediction.
However, for a direct clash to happen, Djokovic first needs to navigate his way through the early rounds. “He has to be competitive immediately and win matches because he hasn’t played in a long time. That’s why finding his rhythm quickly in Rome will be crucial,” Clement added.
Despite the layoff, the ex-pro is not overly concerned. “He has been in these situations before,” Clement said. “Djokovic usually has enough quality to find his rhythm in the opening rounds. For many players, a lack of match practice is a problem, but I see it as less critical for him.”
Looking at recent head-to-head results, Sinner holds the edge. Djokovic has lost six of their 11 encounters, including five of the last six. Notably, Sinner defeated Djokovic in the semifinals of the 2025 French Open. The only recent win for Djokovic came at the 2024 Australian Open.
With Carlos Alcaraz out of the tournament, many neutral fans see Djokovic as the best chance to create some tension at Roland Garros. On paper, there are few reasons to doubt Sinner’s dominance. The Italian has won five consecutive Masters titles, most recently dismantling Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2 in Madrid.