Carlos Alcaraz has reaffirmed his status as one of tennis’ hottest young properties with his latest Wimbledon title, his second in SW19, and his fourth Grand Slam at just 21 years old.
What this youngster is doing at his age is simply breathtaking, and the manner in which he has burst onto the scene and done what so many of the generation before him have failed to do must drive players like Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud insane.
But, that is what happens when greatness emerges, coincidentally just as Roger Federer retired, Rafael Nadal’s fitness faltered, and now Novak Djokovic began to steadily decline too.
However, despite all he has accomplished, there is another young star that Carlos Alcaraz attests remains above him in the pecking order.
Carlos Alcaraz remains humble after second Wimbledon title
There are few on the planet who, on their day, could even keep up with Alcaraz when he is in form.
Few would argue that his run to the Wimbledon final was far from emphatic, having endured slow starts for the bulk of the tournament until he reached that last hurdle.
There, he blew the Serbian superstar away with his electric brand of tennis, winning in straight sets. Even Djokovic admitted that what Alcaraz did that day left him stunned.
However, now speaking after that wonderful afternoon on centre court, he has told Spanish outlet ORM Deportes: ‘For me, personally, Sinner is the most consistent player. He has won a Grand Slam. He has reached, except in this tournament, the semi-finals in all the ones he has played in. He deserves to be in that position still.
‘I have won big tournaments, let’s hope that continues and we will see at the end of the year who is higher.’
Is Jannik Sinner really the best player in the world?
Even if Jannik Sinner has enjoyed a magnificent, unprecedented season, it’s certainly worth arguing who out of him and Alcaraz has enjoyed the better 2024.
After all, the former boasts a 42-4 record, having won his first-ever Grand Slam title amongst many other titles.
Rising to the world number one, that mantle speaks for itself, but an old clip of Serena Williams has recently been doing the rounds on social media which details her thoughts on the matter: ‘It’s just shocking, but it is what it is. I’d rather definitely be number two and hold three Grand Slams in the past year than be number one and not have any.’
Alcaraz clearly does not buy into that way of thinking, although he does now have two Grand Slam titles this year alone, and has also won a Masters 1000 event, just like Sinner.
But, the ATP Race to Turin speaks for itself, and the Italian remains a sold 250 points ahead as they both seek to qualify for the end-of-year event.
It is also worth noting that Sinner has suffered from a terrible bout of injury and illness, with his Roland Garros campaign curtailed by the former, and his Wimbledon loss to Daniil Medvedev clearly influenced by the latter.
Should he enjoy a well-earned break, the Olympics and US Open could very easily be his, which would once again reaffirm his status as the best player in the world.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
