Clay taboo for Jannik Sinner: Paolo Bertolucci lists major pitfalls

Tabù clay for Jannik Sinner: Paolo Bertolucci lists main pitfalls

A few days before the start of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000, former Italian tennis player Paolo Bertolucci, during a speech to the microphones of "fanpage.it", tried to identify the main pitfalls that Jannik Sinner might encounter on clay, a surface on which the South Tyrolean has struggled in the previous season.

"On clay the problem è that changes the way you run, the way you glide. They change the bearings, the timing on the ball, the response every time he touches the ground è different than on concrete and indoor. All these things involve the need for adaptation. For some it happens almost automatically, while others struggle more. Nadal for example was struggling more on grass and Federer on clay. Djokovic himself has won Roland Garros fewer times than other Slams. There is no such thing as a player who can perform at his best everywhere, but being able to maintain a high enough level of play on all surfaces è a characteristic that only great champions" have.

The former Italian tennis player began.

"It changes the timing on the ball, which has to be worked and fouled a little more. You also have to adjust physically, sinceè on the fast you can close the point in 4-5 strokes, on the slow one it takes a couple more. The opponents’ defensive phase becomes more productive, with more chances to recover. Jannik, who è a game producer, from this point of view will meetè more obstacles, becauseè precisely on the earth è easier to play defensively" continued the Sky Sports commentator.

"We must take into account that Sinner finished his season on cement on Sunday and will now set foot on clay for the first time in a good 10 months. Heà will have a few days to adjust that minimum that will allow him to go on the court and express himself at a good level. If heà struggles more than expected in Monte Carlo, maybe heà will find the best condition in the next tournaments, where the surface will be a little bit; faster" added the Forte dei Marmi native.