Jannik Sinner has been dominant on the ATP Tour recently, taking home three Grand Slam titles, reaching world number one in the process.
The Italian star was a class above in 2024, and carried that same form into the new year, with an excellent showing at the Australian Open.
Sinner beat Alexander Zverev to defend his title at Rod Laver Arena, having won his first Major at the venue in 2024.
He then chose not to attend the Rotterdam Open, where he was the defending champion, but will return later this month in Doha.
Ahead of his return to tennis, the coach of one of Sinner’s biggest rivals has shared his thoughts on the dominant 23-year-old.
Juan Carlos Ferrero thinks ‘complete’ Jannik Sinner will be a ‘very tough opponent’ for Carlos Alcaraz in 2025
Carlos Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero spoke to Marca, to give his opinion on the world number one.
“He is a very complete player, he has been very aware of what he had to improve in recent years and he has been achieving it,” he said.
“He has a very experienced team around him that helps him a lot.
“He has matured a lot in the last year, and he is very aware of the things he feels in the match and what he feels to win.”
Ferrero recognizes the threat Sinner poses to Alcaraz and mentioned several other ATP stars that the Spaniard needs to watch out for in 2025.
“He is going to be a very tough opponent and he is going to demand a lot from Carlos [Alcaraz] so that he does not fall asleep and continues to improve as much as possible to be on equal terms with [Jannik] Sinner and many others,” he said.
“[Alexander] Zverev, [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, [Andrey] Rublev or Novak [Djokovic] who is still there.”
Alcaraz has enjoyed mixed success against the players Ferrero mentioned over recent years.
| Player | Head-to-head record v Carlos Alcaraz | Previous meeting v Carlos Alcaraz |
| Jannik Sinner | 4-6 | Loss – 2024 China Open (F) |
| Alexander Zverev | 6-5 | Won – 2024 ATP Finals (RR) |
| Novak Djokovic | 5-3 | Won – 2025 Australian Open (QF) |
| Andrey Rublev | 1-2 | Loss – 2024 ATP Finals (RR) |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | 0-6 | Loss – 2024 French Open (QF) |
The world number three trails the head-to-head with both Zverev and Djokovic, losing his most recent encounter with both.
Juan Carlos Ferrero explains ‘disappointment’ after Carlos Alcaraz lost to Novak Djokovic in Australia
Four-time Major champion Alcaraz lost to Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, in what many described as the ‘match of the tournament.’
Ferrero has now given his thoughts on Alcaraz’s performance down under, having fallen at the quarter-final stage for the second year running.
“At 21 years old, there is always room for improvement,” he said.
“Carlos is a super talented player but he obviously still has a lot to improve; he has a lot to improve mentally and in terms of consistency in matches.
“That is the good thing: we have a very clear motivation and objectives that he is aware of.
“It [the Australian Open] was a bit of a disappointment for everyone.
“Many players would have signed up for the quarter-finals, but with Carlos’ potential we always thought we could go further.”
Alcaraz then bounced back in the best possible way with a win in Rotterdam, as he clinched the first indoor hard-court title of his career.
“The victory in Rotterdam was a shot of motivation and confidence for what is coming soon,” said Ferrero.
“We are happy for the moment.”
The world number three took down Australian star Alex de Minaur in an enticing three-set battle, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
Alcaraz, Sinner, and De Minaur will all return to the court for the Qatar Open, which begins on Monday, February 17.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
