Tennis commentator Paolo Bertolucci has asserted that he hopes Jannik Sinner does not play before the Italian Open after his injury scare at the Monte Carlo Masters.
The former Italian ATP player declared Sinner’s defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas in Monte Carlo was “certainly affected” by the physical issues he suffered in the third set, as well as the controversial line call.
Sinner fell to just his second defeat of the 2024 season on Saturday as he was beaten 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 by two-time Monte Carlo champion Tsitsipas in the last four of the Masters 1000 event.
The world No 2 received a medical timeout for a leg issue late in the third set, which he had led 4-2 before losing the last four games of the match.
The 22-year-old Italian had two break points to take a 4-1, double break lead in the decider, with Tsitispas’ second serve on one of these key points being shown to have landed out by hawkeye after being called in.
READ MORE: Stefanos Tsitsipas’ honest verdict on turning point in his Monte Carlo win over Jannik Sinner
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Bertolucci, a world No 12, gave his assessment of his Sinner’s defeat as he urged his countryman to not return until the Italian Open in Rome.
“The match was very good, played by two tennis players who for long stretches played at a very high level,” Bertolucci said.
“A match certainly affected by the physical problem suffered by Sinner, leading by a break and with the possibility of going 4-1 in the third. Unfortunately, the referee did not see a ball outside the opponent.
“Rarely in tennis is a refereeing error as important as today’s, but this does not take anything away from Tsitsipas. It’s also true that, when he was on the ropes, that call and Sinner’s cramps gave him breath again and Jannik had none left. The last few games were a pain.
“Two semi-finals and a victory in the last three Masters 1000s means that Sinner is at the top of the world. Now he will stop and I hope not to see him before Rome.”
Bertolucci also hailed Sinner’s performance in his first clay event of 2024: “It was not an easy task after his performance on cement in Miami, especially because Jannik only had a few days to prepare for it.
“And yet on the court, he managed to solve this equation and above all offered an incredible level of tennis. I don’t understand how in just five days of training on clay after ten months of absence, he managed to perform so well.
“In particular, he proposed tactics and variations worthy of a very experienced clay specialist. Of course it’s only the first step in a long adventure on clay.”
READ MORE: ‘When Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are at their best, no one can get close’, claims former ATP star
