Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner displayed a level of dominance not seen since the peak of the ‘big three’ era in 2025.
The top two-ranked players in the world finished the year with points tallies north of 10,000, having claimed a combined 14 ATP titles.
Four of the 14 crowns were clinched on the biggest stages in tennis, with the Spaniard and the Italian splitting all four majors between them for the second year in a row.
Carlos Alcaraz would be the greatest youngster ever if he won the 2026 Australian Open – change my mind…
Alcaraz won a second consecutive Roland Garros title and another US Open, while Sinner went back-to-back at the Australian Open and secured a maiden Wimbledon championship.
It is hard to see their dominance being snapped anytime soon, but many will certainly be looking to close the gap, including world number eight Lorenzo Musetti.
Lorenzo Musetti will challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Musetti recently added Jose Perlas to his coaching team following an impressive season on the ATP Tour in 2025.
The 23-year-old reached a career-high ranking of sixth in the world, qualified for the ATP Finals, and enjoyed a promising clay swing, during which he made the semifinals at Roland Garros.
Speaking at the ‘Gazetta Sports Awards‘ ahead of his 2026 campaign, Musetti said: “I’ve added an important figure to my team like José Perlas, whom I believe can bring me something extra, alongside my long-standing figure [Simone] Tartarini.
“I think their joint work can lead to steps forward, to the definitive leap in quality that I’m seeking. I hope to take the place of the third wheel between Jannik and Carlos.
“This year, the gap with all the other players has been evident. Adding these important figures to the team is an attempt to close that gap with them.
“There are various highlights from this year, the final in Monte-Carlo, the semi at Roland-Garros, the entry into the top 10.
“The most beautiful moment was the crowd’s welcome in Torino and the match with de Minaur; it was a moment that’s hard to describe in words.”
Lorenzo Musetti’s record versus Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Musetti has played 11 matches against Sinner and Alcaraz on the ATP Tour, and has emerged victorious in just one of them.
He has never beaten his Italian compatriot, having lost to him in all three of their meetings; most recently at the 2025 US Open.
What is your boldest tennis prediction for 2026?
Musetti has never even won a set against Sinner, but he has had slightly more success against Alcaraz.
In 2022, Musetti won their first-ever clash, which came in the final of the Hamburg Open on Alcaraz’s preferred surface of clay.
Since then, however, Alcaraz has beaten him seven consecutive times, with four of his victories clinched in 2025.
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