Here’s a thought experiment: Why do we watch sport? Think beyond rabid fandom, muscular nationalism and unquestioned loyalty. The essence of sports watching is in the unpredictability of outcomes. It is in not knowing the direction a contest will take. Yet, ever so often, a moment comes along when an outcome seems a foregone conclusion.
The men’s singles at the French Open, starting later today, appears pre-ordained towards such an inevitability. In two Sunday’s from now, if World Number 1 Jannik Sinner is not holding up the trophy, it will be among the most seismic of shocks in the sporting world. Such has been the Italian’s recent dominance that even his nearest rivals have pretty much waved the white flag in surrender.
