Juan Carlos Ferrero compared the developing rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to that between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the early 2000s.
Sinner advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals in 2023. The Italian came into his own in the second half of the year, winning the China Open, Vienna Open, and Canadian Open. In addition, he led Italy to the Davis Cup title and advanced to the finals of the year-end Nitto ATP Finals. The 22-year-old started 2024 on a high note, having won his first-ever Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open.
Additionally, Sinner advanced to the Rotterdam Open final, where he will take on Alex de Minaur. When asked about Sinner’s ascent to the top of men’s tennis, world No. 2 Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, recently responded.
Ferrero said in an interview: “I think his (Jannik Sinner’s) appearance was a bit like when Rafa and Roger appeared, who between them were pushing the car, until then Novak came in, who is now a bit the one pushing Carlos and Sinner.”
Ferrero also disclosed the discussion he had with Alcaraz during his Cincinnati Masters 2023 loss to Novak Djokovic. He said: “I told Carlos last year. When Novak won the Masters at that level, he said, ‘Have you seen that? Now what we have to do is train like animals to reach Novak’s level. Jannik is going to do it and we have to do it.”
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
At the moment ranked no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 17th of February when he capitulated to world no.21 Nicolas Jarry 7-6(2) 6-3 in the semifinal in Buenos Aires (draw).
At present, during this year Carlos owns an overall 6-2 win-loss record. Carlos Alcaraz’s latest run in Buenos Aires was the best achievement of his season.
Jannik Sinner in 2024
Currently ranked no.4 (career-high), Jannik played his last match on the 18th of February when he defeated world no.11 Alex De Minaur 7-5 6-4 in the final in Rotterdam to win his 13th career title.
This year Jannik has a 12-0 win-loss record. The Italian clinched 2 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open and Rotterdam.
Sinner will compete next in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open). He will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 4th of March.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner fought against each other 8 times. The head to head is 4-4. The last time they competed against each other, Jannik Sinner won 7-6(4) 6-1 in the semifinal in Beijing (China Open) in October 2023.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.