“I don’t think clay will be Jannik Sinner’s best surface,” says Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick has spoken in on Jannik Sinner’s clay-court game as he prepares for his comeback.

Sinner will make his return from a three-month drug ban at the Italian Open, starting May 7.

The 23-year-old hasn’t played since successfully defended his Australian Open title in January.

The three-time major winner has had to skip tournaments in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid.

Sinner’s first clay-court triumph came in the 2022 Croatia Open in Umag, an ATP 250 competition.

He had a solid start to the 2024 clay-court season, reaching the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters.

The Italian then advanced to the quarterfinals in Madrid before being forced to retire due to a hip ailment, which also prevented him from competing in the Italian Open.

Sinner’s French Open preparations were hampered by sickness, but he nevertheless advanced to the last four, where he lost to eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz in five sets.

Roddick told Tennis Channel that Sinner’s 2024 clay campaign has inspired him, but that the Italian would have “jitters” in Rome.

“I worry about him zero over the long term, but if it’s just the small sample size of Rome… a small sample size can tell many stories,” remarked the citizen of America.

“I am not concerned with how he smashes the ball. I am not concerned about his movement. I felt he looked very well on the clay last year.

“We forget he was one set away from defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros semifinals last year. So, I believe he’ll be alright in the long run.

“Will he be nervous in Rome in front of his home crowd? Remember that he didn’t play in Rome last year either.

“So, since he’s become the Jannik Sinner, the legend, Grand Slam-winning No 1 Jannik Sinner, he hasn’t played Rome, so there’s obviously going to be jitters.”

The 2003 US Open winner went on to explain why clay is a tougher surface for Sinner than hard courts.

“I don’t think it’s going to be his best surface,” Roddick said.

“When he has two feet firmly planted on the cement, he will be dominating.

“However, he could have won the French Open last year.” He came really close to winning the French Open last year. I believe he is fully competent; all he needs are a few additional balls.

“He’s not going to be able to blast players off the court like we’ve seen on other courts, and he doesn’t get as much practice with his serve.

“He’s improved his wide serve on the deuce side significantly on hard courts. “He’ll have to set the table in various ways on clay.”