Jannik Sinner-Carlos Alcaraz, the tennis guru goes against the grain: "It has nothing to do"

The’impressive duopoly of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz is causing discussion among insiders: many have drawn comparisons between this period and that of 2005-2009, which saw only two tennis players, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, at the top of the ATP rankings.

Many also see similarities on the dynamic between the two athletes, with Sinner more dominant on the circuit but struggling against Alcaraz, just as Federer struggled to get the better of Nadal despite being the undisputed number one. “Roger was the best player in the world, but Rafa was the better of the two. Roger did not have a solution against Rafa. It was a fascinating paradox”, explained world-renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou on Linkedin.

Mouratoglou, however, disagrees with those who compare this period to the current one with Sinner and Alcaraz: “Sinner is often presented as the “real” No. 1, especially after his dominance in the ATP finals: Sinner is better than everyone else, but Alcaraz is the better of the two. Sorry, but I don&#8217t agree with this point of view”.

According to Mouratoglou, the current comparison between Sinner and Alcaraz has nothing to do with the one between Federer and Nadal: “Although Carlos is ahead in their direct matches, their matches are extremely balanced. Technically, tactically and mentally, they are practically on a par. What really differentiates them is the way they dominate everyone else: Sinner with concentration and regularity, Carlos with creativity, boldness and spectacular shots”.

“When they raise their level, no one can follow them. But they have nothing to do with Federer-Nadal. It is something new, something unique. And we have the’incredible opportunity to witness it”.