Mats Wilander is so impressed by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s rivalry he has given it one of the highest forms of praise.
The ATP’s two top young stars at present treated fans to a pulsating China Open final on Wednesday that produced over three hours of entertaining tennis.
The vast majority of their 10 matches against one another have included impressive shotmaking and multiple momentum swings as both players give their all to claim the win.
Many wondered who would lead the ATP Tour into the next generation following the prolonged success of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
But Alcaraz and Sinner have taken that mantle and their level of play has prompted Wilander to make a very bold statement.
Mats Wilander compares Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s rivalry to the ‘Big 3’ matchups
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, who are referred to by many as tennis ‘Big 3’, produced some of the sport’s greatest matches between them.
They raised the standards of tennis with their multiple title wins and broke numerous records in the process. They also pushed one another to raise their level which is something they achieved consistently throughout their illustrious careers.
But Wilander made a stunning claim that the level Sinner and Alcaraz have produced so far, is higher than any standard the ‘Big 3’ reached throughout their epic rivalries.
“When Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are at their best, there is no way anyone has ever played better tennis,” the Swede told Eurosport. “They are following in the footsteps of the ‘Big Three’ in terms of level.
“I hope Roger, Novak, and Rafa are not listening, but in terms of level, when Sinner and Alcaraz are at their best, there is no way anyone has ever played better tennis.
“The tennis ball has done more different, complicated, difficult things than the ball is doing between Sinner and Alcaraz.”
What are Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s head-to-head records against Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic?
Neither Alcaraz or Sinner had the opportunity to play against Federer before he retired from tennis at the Laver Cup in September 2022.
Both players competed against Nadal on three occasions. Alcaraz lost his first two encounters with his Paris Olympics doubles partner before beating him at the 2022 Madrid Open on the way to winning the title.
Sinner on the other hand, lost all three of his battles with Nadal and also failed to win a set in each of those encounters, all of which were played on clay and two came at the French Open.
However, both Alcaraz and Sinner have fierce rivalries with Djokovic. Each of them have played the 24-time Grand Slam winner seven times and both trail 4-3.
Sinner has won three of his last four matches against Djokovic, while Alcaraz lost his last encounter against the Serbian in the Olympic final.
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