"Why would Jannik Sinner do that?" - Andy Roddick shuts down claims that Italian might be 'faking' injury in French Open SF against Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz had both faced injury issues coming into their ongoing 2024 French Open semifinal. However, Sinner has also been in discomfort during the game itself and has had to receive treatment from a trainer in the third set.
This led to claims by a fan that Sinner might be faking an injury. However, former American player, Andy Roddick was quick to dismiss the allegation.
Sinner won the first set by dropping just two games, but Alcaraz came back with vengeance and won the second set 6-3. The third set went the Italian's way, but it seemingly took a toll. His trainer had come out to give Sinner a massage on his arm. The 22-year-old Sinner was stretching and clutching his hands regularly during the third set. However, the break was not a medical timeout.
Coming into the French Open, Alcaraz was suffering from a forearm injury, while Sinner suffered from a hip injury. Earlier, both players missed the Italian Open owing to injury concerns. Former American player Roddick took to X to bring attention to the pair's injury problems.
"Something to acknowledge w Sinner struggling a bit. Both injured coming in. One w a forearm which means he can still get legwork in. Sinner game time decision coming into RG. Tough to imagine he was able to put in the normal legwork when dealing w a hip issue. Not all injuries act the same," he wrote.
A fan claimed that Sinner might be faking his injury for some reason.
"Maybe sinner is faking some injuries what do you think?"
Roddick shut down this claim by writing:
"Why would he do that when leading? He pulled out of his home tournament coming into RG…. Why is yours a suggestion that makes any sense?"
Sinner and Alcaraz's injury-ridden season
Jannik Sinner was scheduled to face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Madrid Open quarterfinal, before which he withdrew from the tournament. The Italian revealed that he was suffering from a hip injury. Moreover, the 22-year-old also pulled out of his home tournament soon after.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz has been suffering from a right forearm injury throughout the season. In February, he gave a walkover at the Rio Open. He pulled out of Monte-Carlo Masters in April but played in the Madrid Open. The Spaniard was ousted in the quarterfinal stage in Madrid and had to withdraw from the Italian Open because his injury had aggravated.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz came into the French Open with limited gametime but have still played some incredible tennis, showcasing their quality.