Andy Roddick responds to Jannik Sinner and Nadal clay comparisons

Jannik Sinner has collected two titles and 14 match wins on clay this year.

The world number one has elevated his game on what was once considered his weakest surface.

In 2026, his statistics are looking a lot like those of Rafael Nadal, widely regarded as the best clay-court player in history.

Andy Roddick, another big name in tennis, has now weighed in on whether Sinner is matching prime Nadal on clay.

Andy Roddick stands firm: Nadal remains the unmatched King of Clay

On the most recent episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick’, he spoke about Sinner’s top rivals.

“Carlitos [Alcaraz] says I’m not playing Roland Garros. It shifts even more to [Jannik] Sinner,” said Roddick.

“Since then, rolls in Madrid, and now you look at the people we’ve built up as that next tier.

“[Arthur] Fils has been playing amazingly well. Sinner took care of him very handily in Madrid, 6-2, 6-4, not that close. Is hurt; his hip didn’t feel right. Hopefully, he gets healthy and is ready, and it’s minor.

“[Jack] Draper, it’s been a minute. He hasn’t found his footing again.

“[Alexander] Zverev, I don’t know if we can say let’s make the format longer and that will help his chances against Jannik, right?

Sinner enters Roland Garros as the favourite for good reason – although there are still a few players who could push back against that narrative…

Andy Roddick sizes up Sinner vs Djokovic ahead of French Open

Djokovic, who owns three French Open titles and 24 Grand Slams overall, remains a major force in the game.

He also beat Sinner at the last major tournament, delivering one of the finest performances of his legendary career.

But Roddick thinks the conditions at Roland Garros would be less favourable for Djokovic compared to their last meeting.

“Here’s what I think… More time on the ball, less secure footing, when you’re giving up half a step, is not a better situation than Australia, where Sinner went two for a million on break points, and you went five for seven,” he said.

“You took the narrow margins and threaded the needle and won 6-3 or 6-4 in the fifth, and you kind of had to thread that needle.

“Those margins on clay vs Sinner right now, specifically in this match-up… The margins for Novak to beat him three out of five sets, especially on clay. I think they are even narrower.

“So I think it would be a bigger upset at the French Open than it would be at the Australian Open.”

The two could meet again in Paris next month depending on how the draw unfolds. Until then, Sinner’s attention will turn to Rome, where he faces Andrey Rublev in Thursday’s quarter-final.

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