Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz both trained with a young ATP star who explained the differences between their styles of play.
The Spaniard established himself as a force to be reckoned with in 2022 and in the two years since his first Grand Slam win, he is the clear frontrunner of this new era in men’s tennis.
But he is not alone as Sinner’s fantastic 2024 campaign saw him rise to the top of the game and join the Grand Slam club.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are the men to beat heading into 2025, and young up and coming on tour knows all too well what they bring to the table.
What are the differences between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s playing styles?
Alcaraz and Sinner have contrasting playing styles, as did Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg before them.
This contributes to their epic matches, especially in 2024 when each of their three meetings went to a deciding set.
One person who knows their game very well is Nishesh Basavereddy, a young tennis player currently trying to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah.
He has trained with both Alcaraz and Sinner and has since shared what the main differences are between the two players.
“I think their two balls are a little different. Sinner’s was more flat and just straight through the court,” Basavereddy told the Changeover Podcast.
“Alcaraz’s was really heavy. Obviously on an indoor hard court it’s a little different. That was lower bouncing. But I just think both their balls go through the court in different ways.
“In Alcaraz’s there was more of a difference [between forehand and backhand]. Sinner’s both sides were really, really hard. Alcaraz’s backhand was a little bit slower, for sure, his forehand was much harder.”
Jannik Sinner is told an aspect of his game is ‘ridiculous’
Sinner in particular, has left fans in awe with his vast improvement in 2024.
He finished 2023 ranked as the World number four and a year later he is now the ATP Tour’s top ranked player and a two-time Grand Slam champion.
Sinner is a very offensive player and gives his opponents little time to get themselves set, something Basavereddy released when the Italian played Novak Djokovic at the 2023 ATP Finals, the start of his rise to the top.
“The other thing with watching those guys there was just their defence was crazy,” he added. “Sinner was sliding in the corners and going from defence to offence every single shot.
“I saw him and Djokovic play twice last year in that tournament [Turin] and I saw both those matches from court side. It was ridiculous, there were no defensive shots, all the defensive shots were just turning into offence. It’s ridiculous.”
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