“Novak Djokovic has a clear advantage over Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros.”

Novak Djokovic is back in competition after a two-month absence, preparing to attack Roland Garros with a secret weapon that few recognize. The Serbian tennis player, who has not competed since his defeat to Jack Draper in the round of 16 at the Indian Wells Masters, will kick off at the Rome Masters, in a return that promises to shake up the betting for the second Grand Slam of the year.

Despite the prolonged break, Djokovic remains among the top favorites for the title in Paris, just behind Jannik Sinner, who has been dominating the scene lately. The withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz from the tournament has left the competitive landscape even more open, especially in the lower half of the draw. The Spaniard, even in his absence, continues to be a reference point, but now all eyes are on the impending battle between Djokovic and the young Italian talent.

Arnaud Clément, former French player with four encounters against Djokovic on the ATP circuit, has no doubts: the Serbian has all the conditions to challenge Sinner on the Parisian clay. In an interview with Eurosport France, Clément highlighted Djokovic’s experience in managing complex situations and his ability to adapt the pace throughout the tournament. “He has been through this before. He has a comfortable advantage because he knows how to find his rhythm in the early rounds, something that not everyone can do. It depends a lot on the opponent he faces in the first match,” explained the former tennis player.

Djokovic’s priority is clear: to win another Grand Slam, and for that, he needs to be competitive right from the start, accumulating victories to regain his playing rhythm, which is essential after a long period of inactivity. Clément adds that the Serbian may even play a week before Roland Garros, depending on his performance in Rome.

However, what stands out in this analysis is the physical advantage that Djokovic may have over Sinner in the French tournament. “Despite his age, Djokovic can endure longer on the court than Sinner on clay. That could be decisive,” says Clément, emphasizing that to win, Djokovic will likely have to face Sinner in the final. “We’ll see where each one falls in the draw and who they will face. Djokovic’s path is longer than Sinner’s.”

In their last direct confrontation, Djokovic came out on top, eliminating Sinner in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in an epic five-set battle. However, the Italian has dominated their recent encounters, winning five of the last six matches, including three at Grand Slams. Sinner leads the head-to-head record with six victories in 11 meetings, in a rivalry that began in 2021 at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The next opportunity for this electrifying duel may arise at the Rome Masters, but Djokovic will need to give his all to reach the final, something he hasn’t managed since the Miami Open in 2025. The path to Roland Garros is set, and Djokovic’s return promises to rewrite history on the French clay, positioning him as a real threat to Sinner’s unstoppable rise.

This clash of generations, experience versus youth, physicality versus talent, promises to be the big spectacle of tennis in 2026. Novak Djokovic is back to challenge the future of the sport, with a physical advantage that could make all the difference in Paris.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.