Wimbledon 2026: Janic Ciner looks to regain dominance after French Open shock

For the past two years, Janic Sinar and Carlos Alcaraz have stood a class above the rest at the top of men’s tennis.

And so, once his rival and best friend Died of wrist injury In April, the world’s number one sinner emerged almost completely untouched.

But Sinner would suffer a major setback in recent years at the French Open, Second round exit Despite leading Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundlo in two sets and 5-1 in the third match.

The fall ended a 30-match winning streak for the Italian, as well as his bid to become the second-youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam – four major titles – after Alcaraz achieved it in Australia in January.

Sinner said he did not believe he was to blame for the suffocating heat in Paris that day but, after physically shutting down in that match at Roland Garros a month ago, the 24-year-old was pictured wearing an ice jacket while training in hot temperatures at Wimbledon.

Speaking on Saturday, two days before he begins the defense of his title at the All England Club against Miomir Kecmanovic, Siner said the results of his series of health tests after the French Open were “very good”, but there would be no immediate fix to avoid future problems.

“You can’t 100% simulate what you feel in a match because of the excitement (and) everything happening before and after the match,” he said.

“We made some changes, not big changes. But I always believe in small details and small changes.

“We’re happy right now with what we’re doing. We’re not going to see results here. It’s a long process. There’s no magic behind it.”

Despite the manner of his defeat in Paris, and despite not having competed since, Ciner will again start as the overwhelming favorite to win Wimbledon, beating Alcaraz in four sets in last year’s final.

While he undoubtedly has the ability, he has also proven that he has the mindset to respond to unexpected setbacks.

His childhood coach, Andreas Schoenegger, told BBC Sport: “At the end of every lesson, at first he didn’t want to stop, he wanted to keep going.

“He tells me now, OK, I’m waiting for my dad, but I’m going to continue for another hour, I want to play for another hour. (At four years old), it’s an incredible mind, incredible.

“It’s not normal for children of this age.”