On the eve of a thrilling match at Roland Garros, the atmosphere in Paris is electric with excitement for Jannik Sinner. Despite the traditional France-Italy rivalry, Parisians have embraced the young Italian tennis star with open arms.
Following his triumphant debut victory in three sets (6-3, 6-3, 6-4) against American Christopher Eubanks, the 22-year-old Sinner is set to face French veteran Richard Gasquet, who is 15 years his senior, in the second round. The recent exit of Rafael Nadal, a 14-time Roland Garros champion revered by the French crowd, has left the spectators yearning for a new hero to rally behind. With no prominent French hopefuls in the draw, some see Sinner as a potential successor to Nadal, not necessarily in terms of titles but in the warmth and connection he shares with the fans. Sinner’s authenticity and charm have endeared him to the audience, who hope he maintains these qualities.
Regarding the upcoming France-Italy clash tomorrow evening, many in Paris might set aside national pride to cheer for Sinner instead of Gasquet, thereby dispelling any notions of chauvinism. In the French capital, twinned with Rome, the fabled France-Italy rivalry appears to be a non-issue among the locals. During his debut match against Eubanks, the world number two was met with roaring stadium cheers that continued throughout the match and beyond. Sinner himself expressed delight at the support he received at the ‘Suzanne Lenglen’ court, where banners and a tricolor Italian flag were prominently displayed alongside the European flag. Chants of “Vai Jannik!”, “Forza Jannik!”, and “Bravo Jannik!” echoed in support of the South Tyrolean champion.
Tomorrow, even against the home favorite Gasquet, Sinner will have the backing of the ‘Carrot Boys,’ six die-hard fans from Piedmont who have been following him to every Grand Slam for a year, dressed as carrots. Their quirky and dedicated support will surely add to the vibrant atmosphere.
Meanwhile, as the adage goes, “without a past, there is no future.” Nicola Pietrangeli, reflecting on his own victories at Roland Garros in 1959 and 1960, shared nostalgic memories of his wild nights along the Seine. “In Paris,” recalled the 90-year-old champion in an interview with L’Equipe, “my headquarters was the Crazy Horse. I stayed at the home of its founder, Alain Bernardin, and every evening I also went to ‘Chez Régine,’ even in the year of my second Roland Garros victory, up until the eve of the final, for good luck.”
In this vibrant and storied setting, Jannik Sinner is poised to continue his quest at Roland Garros, carrying the hopes of not just Italian fans, but a growing legion of French supporters who see in him a new champion to believe in and cheer for.
