After being suspended at the Italian Open, Jannik Sinner was greeted like a hero in Rome.
During the early part of the season, the world number 1 missed 4 Masters 1000 events, and Sinner received a tennis suspension.
His native supporters greeted him with wide arms upon his return and encouraged him to succeed in Rome when he played in the Italian league.
Sinner ended his 26-match winning streak by losing to Carlos Alcaraz, 6-7, 1-6, in the final, narrowly missing the mark.
Sinner will try to recover in the French Open, where he knows that the audience might not be as encouraging.
Sinner was questioned about if he anticipates different treatment from the Parisian supporters than from those in Rome last week at his pre-tournament press conference.
He acknowledged that the experience would certainly be different. However, he expressed that he didn't believe there was any ill will directed towards him.
He felt it was appropriate for the local players to receive the support of the home crowd. He drew a parallel, mentioning that when he competes against American players at the US Open, he understands and accepts the similar dynamic.
Furthermore, he pointed out that he himself benefited from a fantastic atmosphere in Rome due to his Italian nationality, viewing it as fair that players based in or representing a city or country garner more backing.
He added that his previous participation against French players in the same event last year gave him some insight into what to anticipate.
On his path to the 2024 Final Four, Sinner faced two French players: Corentin Moutet and Richard Gasquet.
In the 2nd round last year, Sinner defeated Gasquet in 3 sets. He then commended the spectators for being "amazing" during the match.
Sinner's encounter against Moutet was more challenging since he was fighting for a quarterfinal place. Despite down by a set to love, he came back to win in 4 sets.
In the 1st and 2nd rounds of this year's tournament, Sinner will undoubtedly face a French player, and a third matchup might occur in the round of 16.
The Italian acknowledged that, even if he is aware of what to "expect," things may change in 2025.
After defeating French ATP stalwarts in his last 18 matches, Sinner hasn't lost to a French player in four years.
He lost against Arthur Rinderknech, whom he will play against in the first round of Roland Garros at the Lyon Open in 2021, which was his last time losing to a Frenchman.
Sinner has an outstanding record of 28-5 (85%) overall versus French players, which he will undoubtedly like to surpass in Paris this year.
Sinner's encounter against Moutet was more challenging, since he was fighting for a quarterfinal place. Despite down by a set to love, he came back to win in 4 sets.