Jannik Sinner Reigns Supreme Over Carlos Alcaraz Despite Recent Setbacks, Says Federer’s Former Coach
The tennis world is abuzz with praise for Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spaniard recently lauded by the King of Clay as a future all-time great, following his Wimbledon victory. However, Roger Federer’s former coach, Ivan Ljubicic, remains unconvinced, favoring Alcaraz’s rival Jannik Sinner instead.
In a recent interview with L’Equipe, Ljubicic noted, “Between Wimbledon last year and Roland-Garros this year, he only won at Indian Wells… Everyone wondered: ‘Where is Alcaraz?’ Being unplayable may only last for a moment. Besides, in the Race, Sinner is always number 1.”
Alcaraz’s 2024 achievements are remarkable: at 21 years and 1 month old, he became the youngest player to win Grand Slam singles titles on three different surfaces and the youngest to win the Channel Slam.
Conversely, Sinner has had an impressive 2024, winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, becoming the first Italian to do so. He also achieved his 200th win at the Rotterdam Open, surpassed Novak Djokovic to become world No. 1, and secured the highest ranking ever for an Italian player. His victory at the Halle Open solidified his rising dominance.
Despite Ljubicic’s preference, Alcaraz himself acknowledges the challenge Sinner presents. “Every time I face Jannik, I get nervous… I know I have to play at 100 percent to beat him,” Alcaraz admitted in a recent interview.
Their rivalry adds an exciting dynamic to tennis, with contrasting opinions from other experts. Boris Becker, Djokovic’s former coach, believes Alcaraz holds an edge over Sinner, particularly in managing the fifth set. He noted, “The more an opponent extends the match against Jannik, the better their chances. With Alcaraz, his record in the fifth set gives him a mental advantage.”
While opinions vary, it’s clear that the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry will be a major talking point in the future of ATP.
