Jannik Sinner’s departure from the Montreal Masters has raised fresh concerns about his physical condition, which is now becoming the biggest obstacle for the world No 1 as he aims to end a successful 2024 on a high note. Andrey Rublev managed to overcome Sinner in the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open in Montreal, despite a collapse in the second set. The Russian dominated the early stages of the match to win the first set, but a rain delay interrupted his momentum. After the break, the Italian fought back and won the second set without facing any break points.
However, Rublev turned the tide in the third set, saving five break points in the opening game and ultimately winning the set to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Sinner’s main concern appears to be an injury issue, possibly related to the hip problem that troubled him before the French Open. He missed the Rome Masters due to a hip problem and although he performed well at Roland Garros, he struggled physically in the later stages of his match against Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner also faced illness at Wimbledon, which almost led to his withdrawal from the tournament. This defeat against Rublev has raised doubts about Sinner’s ability to handle the physical demands of the tennis tour.
The pressure of being one of the favorites in every tournament he enters is still new to Sinner, adding to the expectations he faces on the court. If his pain in Montreal was a recurrence of his previous hip problem, it could be a cause for concern as he was advised to rest before his return at the French Open. With the US Open approaching, Sinner’s participation in the Cincinnati Masters event is now uncertain. The hard courts at Flushing Meadows will test his physical limits, especially with best-of-five-set matches. Meanwhile, Sinner’s main rivals, Alcaraz and Djokovic, have also faced challenges in their preparations for the US Open.
However, the players ranked No 2 and No 3 in the ATP rankings seem to be injury-free, which is crucial for success in the demanding 2024 tennis season. Ultimately, it seems that Sinner’s biggest opponent is his own body, which continues to present obstacles in his path.
Photo from Jannik Sinner’s Instagram
