Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have now dominated men’s tennis for the last two years on the ATP Tour.
Every Grand Slam title since the beginning of 2024 has been hoisted by either the Spaniard or the Italian, who sit atop the rankings at one and two, respectively.
Alcaraz and Sinner have delivered some of the best matches in recent memory during their already iconic rivalry, none better than their clash in the 2025 Roland Garros final.
A reminder of what happens when Jannik Sinner plays Carlos Alcaraz…
Despite their incredible level, British tennis legend Tim Henman suggested the dominance of the ‘new two’ might not be great for tennis in the long term.
Tim Henman discusses Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Speaking in an episode of ‘Off Court with Greg‘, Henman said of Alcaraz and Sinner: “Can someone close the gap? I’m not really seeing it right now. The person who was knocking on the door this time last year was Jack Draper.
How do you feel about Carlos Alcaraz’s dominance of men’s tennis right now?
Is it at risk of making the men's game boring?
“He played some phenomenal tennis, and I do think he has a game style, with the weapons that he has got. You would like to think he has a chance.
“But he has got to build up that physical resilience. He has struggled with his body at different stages.
“Zverev was disappointing at the end of last year, but has played some good tennis. He has some weapons that I think, if he used them properly, like his serve, he serves at 75%, and he serves big. But I think his court positioning is just too defensive.
“I don’t think you can beat Sinner or Alcaraz from the back of the court. They are too athletic, and their ball striking is too good, so you have to bring another dimension to the table.
“Who has that? The way Djokovic played in Australia in the semifinal was phenomenal, and I don’t think anyone saw that coming. But the way he played so aggressively, taking the ball down the line and not missing, was hugely impressive, but ultimately, he couldn’t sustain that.
“So I think the long answer to your question is that I don’t see anyone closing the gap just yet, but I would like to be proven wrong.
“I love Sinner and Alcaraz, they are great players and great guys, but if they are playing in every Grand Slam final, I am not sure that is so appealing.”
Tim Henman says it’s ‘phenomenal’ what the new two have done
Though it is just a two-horse race at the moment, it cannot be denied that Alcaraz and Sinner have elevated the game in recent years.
“It’s been phenomenal to watch what they have done,” said Henman.
“I think there were plenty of us who were concerned [about] what the future looked like when Federer and Nadal and Murray and, at some stage, Djokovic step away from the men’s game.
“But the way Alcaraz and Sinner have stepped up is incredible. I remember the first time I saw Alcaraz was when he played at the Albert Hall against Jack Draper, and any time the Spanish players get excited about a youngster, with their standards so high, you think they must be good and it’s phenomenal. Likewise with Sinner.”
Sinner and Alcaraz are yet to play in 2025, with their next chance to potentially clash coming at Indian Wells.
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