The two athletes of the future, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, have already made a grand entrance onto the larger stage. After seven matches between them so far, Sinner now has a 4-3 advantage in the head-to-head record in this fierce rivalry. Roger Federer’s previous coach has now stepped in to evaluate the key differences between the two exciting tennis players.
Jannik Sinner, who is presently ranked second in the ATP singles rankings, has already demonstrated exceptional tennis play in the 2023 season. In the Open Era, Alcaraz is the first teenager to be ranked No. 1 in the singles rankings. Since they have both already demonstrated their potential, the tennis world is ready for yet another fierce rivalry between them.
Ivan Ljubicic, Roger Federer’s former coach, has showered the 22-year-old Italian with praise for his incredible 2023 campaign. In addition to winning the ATP Masters 1000 for the first time, Sinner won four titles this year and demonstrated his strength against opponents ranked in the top ten. In addition, the young player gave Italy their first Davis Cup victory in nearly 47 years.
Ljubicic added: “At the end of 2022, I said that I regretted that Jannik had not played important matches against the biggest players. Now he has nothing more to learn. He started by winning his first Masters 1000, and then he beat all the world #1’s. He reached the final in Turin and lost it because he was very tired after a difficult semi-final against Medvedev. But when he left the court, his mind was already on the team and the Davis Cup.”
Ivan Ljubicic says Sinner is not like Alcaraz, who went from world #40 to #1, ‘Jannik needed steps’:
“I immediately believed in his chances. Jannik is not like Alcaraz, who went from #40 to #1. He needs steps. I think what he has done in the last two months, the confirmation of… pic.twitter.com/Yl8sXciDZZ
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 4, 2023
Jannik Sinner in 2023
Ranked world no.4 (career-high), Jannik played his last match on the 26th of November when he defeated world no.12 Alex De Minaur 6-3 6-0 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
At present, during this year Sinner has managed to achieve a composed 64-15 win-loss record. The Italian clinched 4 titles in 2023 in Montpellier, Toronto, Beijing and Vienna. The Italian got to the final in Rotterdam, Miami and the Nitto ATP Finals.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
Ranked world no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 18th of November when he capitulated to world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
Presently, during this year the Spaniard has a 65-12 win-loss record. Carlos has won 6 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Wimbledon. Alcaraz got to the final in Rio de Janeiro and Cincinnati.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz played each other 8 times. The head to head is 4-4. The last time they fought against each other, Jannik Sinner won 7-6(4) 6-1 in the semifinal in Beijing (China Open) on the 3rd of October 2023.
Here the video highlights.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz |
Embed from Getty Images |