Andre Agassi Critiques Jannik Sinner's French Open Preparation

Agassi Questions Sinner's Readiness for Roland Garros

Tennis icon Andre Agassi expressed his concerns regarding Jannik Sinner's readiness for the 2026 French Open. Sinner was considered a strong contender to secure victory at Roland Garros, especially with Carlos Alcaraz absent. However, he faced an unexpected defeat against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round. Despite leading 5-1 in the third set, Sinner struggled in the intense Paris heat and ultimately lost in five sets. Agassi criticized Sinner's performance, suggesting that his downfall was more indicative of inadequate preparation than a lack of physical fitness.

“Sinner going out was significant,” Agassi remarked during a TNT broadcast. “When I played, my body clock adjusted to about four hours. In hot conditions, it would drop to around 3:45 or 3:50. I didn’t change much. In optimal conditions, I could extend it to 4:10 or 4:15. But to see him play five-and-a-half hours in the finals last year and then succumb to the heat in just an hour and 45 minutes shows a gap between being fit and being prepared.”

Agassi emphasized that there is a flaw in Sinner's preparation, stating, “It’s not that he doesn’t work hard or isn’t fit. He was just one game away from advancing, and the entire draw opened up for him. We all expected him to dominate without losing a set.”

Agassi's Take on Sinner's Hydration Strategy

The eight-time Grand Slam winner urged Sinner's team to reassess his preparation and hydration methods, asserting that a player of Sinner's talent should not experience such a drastic decline in performance after less than two hours on the court. “I’m sure he has a team of doctors and experts. However, repeating the same strategies and expecting different outcomes is where I draw the line,” Agassi stated. “He needs to identify what needs to change. It might be necessary to bring in additional expertise. There seems to be a hydration issue.”

Agassi shared his own experience, saying, “Before competing in Australia under similar conditions, I would consume 10 to 12 liters of water in the 24 hours leading up to the match, along with a carb-to-protein ratio of four to one. You have to be proactive about hydration. It’s better to have it in your system and not need it than to need it and not have it. I question whether he is managing his intake correctly. I know nothing about his preparation, but I am aware he can endure five-and-a-half hours on the court—he has proven that. Yet, there’s no justification for hitting a wall at just one hour and 45 minutes.”