Steve Johnson says who he thinks is favourite to win the French Open between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will already both have one eye on the French Open, having just met in the Italian Open final.

Alcaraz knew Sinner was struggling in their final in Rome, in which the Spaniard defeated the Italian 7-6(7-5), 6-1.

The Italian Open fans treated Alcaraz well despite his appearance against home favourite Sinner, who was playing his first tournament since coming back from a three-month ban.

Sinner won the Australian Open before his suspension, and is now able to compete at the French Open, which starts later this month.

Alcaraz meanwhile has joined his rival on 19 ATP Tour titles after his win at the Italian Open, his third success of 2025.

French Open favourite chosen between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

The duo have now been discussed by former professional Steve Johnson ahead of the French Open, which was won by Alcaraz in 2024.

Asked if he thinks the Spaniard is the favourite to win Roland Garros, Johnson said on the Nothing Major podcast: “I think he is. I think he would be a slight favourite over Sinner just on the clay results this season.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz reveals what happened before his match with Jannik Sinner in the Italian Open final which was completely different to usual

“I know Sinner has not played at all and has one tournament on the clay this year, and he made finals in Rome.

“But Alcaraz has a Monte Carlo title, a Barcelona final, a Rome title. He is going to be feeling fine, he is going to be comfortable there. He has won in Paris. So I think he would be a slight favourite or even money for both of those guys.”

Steve Johnson blown away by ‘remarkable’ Jannik Sinner skill

Alcaraz clinched his third Grand Slam title and first on clay in Paris last year, defeating Alexander Zverev in the 2024 French Open final.

And he has been a huge success on the surface once more this season, winning in Monte Carlo and Rome after a hard-court win in Rotterdam.

READ MORE: Andy Roddick warns Jannik Sinner what could happen to him with the fans at the French Open

A total of 10 of his 19 career titles have arrived on clay, while his confidence will be boosted after a rise back to number two in the ATP rankings.

Continuing his French Open verdict on the top two players in the world rankings, Johnson said: “I assume Sinner will get to the finals.

“Just watching him in Rome play these matches, each one he got better and better and watching the final against Alcaraz, the way he strikes the backhand from deep in the court and the way he can create power with his forehand – he was hitting some inside out forehands which were absolutely nuked.

“It’s amazing to watch him strike a tennis ball with how hard he can hit it and the accuracy he can hit it. It’s truly remarkable. These two guys are by far and away the favourites and then it depends how the draw shakes out.

“These two guys are going to be on opposite sides, which is great for the tournament, you don’t have to worry about them playing in the semis or something before that, so I just think it’s going to be a great French Open and I would say that Alcaraz is a slight favourite just based on matches and he has won the last four or five matches over Sinner in the last 18 months.”