Goran Ivanisevic is unafraid to hold back what he really thinks about the current state of the ATP Tour.
Ivanisevic is the current coach of Stefanos Tsitsipas, beginning their partnership for the grass court season.
The Croatian is used to success as a coach, with Ivanisevic previously mentoring Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic to a combined 10 Grand Slam titles.
However, things have not got off to the best start, with Ivanisevic publicly criticising Tsitsipas after his first round defeat at Wimbledon.
The 2001 Wimbledon champion has not left it there, with Ivanisevic now making some strong comments about the ATP Tour including Ben Shelton.
Goran Ivanisevic says what he finds ‘sad’ about the ATP Tour at the moment
In an interview with Clay, Ivanisevic was asked many questions including what he thought about the current state of the ATP Tour.
While he heaped praise on world number four Jack Draper, who was beaten by Cilic at Wimbledon this year, Ivanisevic admitted that he found the instability of the ATP Tour ‘sad’.
The 53-year-old went on to claim that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were light years above the rest of the field.
“Honestly, I first saw Draper when Novak played him in the first round here at Wimbledon in 2021,” said Ivanisevic. “I liked him right away — I saw he could definitely be in the top 10. His rise doesn’t surprise me.
“The rest… it’s all unstable — one day someone is fifth, the next day they’re seventh or eighth. Tommy Paul, Shelton… I can’t say they’re better players than Tsitsipas. It’s actually a bit sad — they all work hard, but they’re light years behind Alcaraz and Sinner.
“And Novak is still there, though at the end of his career. It’s tough — you play, you train, and you know you can’t win a Slam — either one or the other will beat you.”
Goran Ivanisevic suggests if he thinks anyone can challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Sinner and Alcaraz have shared the last six Grand Slam titles between them, highlighted by the most recent Roland Garros final that has been called one of the best major finals ever.
After his strong claim about the ATP Tour, Ivanisevic was subsequently asked if he thinks anyone can close the gap.
The only player that he suggested can currently challenge Alcaraz and Sinner at a major is Djokovic, who Ivanisevic has made a Wimbledon prediction about.
“At a smaller event — maybe. At a Slam — no,” answered Ivanisevic. “I don’t see anyone who can do that — unless someone beats them up the night before (laughter). I don’t see how.
“Look at the Australian Open final — you had [Alexander] Zverev, world No. 3, a phenomenal player, and that final was a joke — Sascha had zero chance.
“Then you see the Roland Garros final — that was otherworldly tennis. The only one who can come between them is Novak. Maybe I’m a bit emotional, but he’s a contender to win.”
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