Jannik Sinner still the man to beat in tennis

The 23-year-old from Italy is the commanding force in the men's game at present, who has won nine trophies, including three Majors, in the last 18 months, and will be a big contender at Wimbledon

- NAMIT KUMAR

AS CARLOS ALCARAZ came up with a generational heist to steal the French Open out from under Jannik Sinner's feet on Sunday, videos of his celebration, with his team and the crowd, played on the big screen.

As the camera panned to Sinner, he could be seen sitting there emotionless, not daring to look up. He had suffered the cruelest ignominy in his sport: blowing as many as three championship points in a Major final and losing the title. The picture was of stark misery.

Later he would pick up the microphone and speak with grace but betray no emotion, articulating in small staccato sentences — perfectly characteristic of the soft-spoken nature of the hard-hitting World No. 1.