Italian tennis legend believes Carlos Alcaraz is better than Jannik Sinner at 100%

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have once again dominated the ATP Tour in 2026, picking up from where they left off last year.

Among other successes, Alcaraz and Sinner shared the four Grand Slam titles in 2025, having done the same in 2024.

The Spaniard continued such dominance by winning this year’s Australian Open, with Sinner very possibly set to follow suit at the French Open.

Alcaraz is out of Roland Garros with a wrist injury, massively increasing the Italian’s chances of winning the tournament and completing the career Grand Slam in the process.

Italian tennis legend Adriano Panatta has now shared his verdict on the ATP pair, having himself tasted Grand Slam success at the 1976 French Open.

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Adriano Panatta picks Carlos Alcaraz over Jannik Sinner at 100%

Panatta told Corriere della Sera: “When Alcaraz plays at 100%, he beats Sinner because he has a few more inventive moves.

“But tennis isn’t just about peak performances: on average, Jannik is superior.

“I say: Alcaraz’s forehand, Sinner’s backhand, Sinner’s serve today, Alcaraz’s volley and drop shot, Alcaraz’s movements.

“But in Monte Carlo, on clay, Sinner won.

“It’s hard to make any predictions against those two: when you do, you risk being immediately proven wrong.

“Alcaraz reminds me of Lew Hoad, who some consider the best ever: on a good day, he was unbeatable.”

Jannik Sinner’s ‘desire to improve’ praised by Adriano Panatta

Sinner versus Alcaraz undoubtedly represents the best rivalry in tennis right now, and it is one that the Spaniard currently leads.

He leads the Italian 10-7 from their 17 meetings, although he did lose their Monte Carlo Masters final last month.

Analyzing the duo further, Panatta commented: “Carlos struck me when he said that, without [Juan Carlos] Ferrero, he can finally make decisions.

“He clearly suffered from it.

“He traded the risk of a few more defeats for freedom.

“I’m like him.

“But calling Sinner a mechanic is unfair.

“I admire his desire to improve: every day, he dedicates himself to filling the gaps.

“It’s rare, believe me: usually, you practice the things you already know how to do well.

“Not Jannik.”

The Italian has massively stepped up in Alcaraz’s absence, and is currently chasing yet another ATP Masters 1000 title.

Is men’s tennis boring without Carlos Alcaraz?

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Sinner claimed a fifth successive Masters 1000 title at the Madrid Open, and now turns his immediate attention to the Italian Open.

The French Open arrives in the calendar shortly after, which sadly for tennis fans won’t feature defending champion Alcaraz.

He defeated Sinner in a five-set epic in last year’s final, with their five-hour, 29-minute battle undoubtedly representing their most entertaining clash yet.