Stefanos Tsitsipas Triggers Debate by Assessing Carlos Alcaraz’s Chances Against ‘Prime’ Rafael Nadal on Clay

Stefanos Tsitsipas approved of John McEnroe's assertion that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner could beat a prime Rafael Nadal on clay.

Stefanos Tsitsipas Triggers Debate by Assessing Carlos Alcaraz’s Chances Against ‘Prime’ Rafael Nadal on Clay

Stefanos Tsitsipas (image via Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic), Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal (images via Roland Garros)

Tennis legend John McEnroe created a big stir after the Roland Garros final when he suggested Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner could have beaten prime Rafael Nadal at the clay-court Grand Slam. Now, Stefanos Tsitsipas has suggested that comment was not misplaced.

Nadal’s record of 14 Roland Garros titles is seen as an unparalleled feat. He was extremely dominant and hard to defeat on clay, and to suggest that someone could come up to his level is unfathomable to many. While speaking to Tennis365, Tsitsipas concurred with McEnroe’s statement, making this assessment after having played all three on clay:

I have played both of them. Both of them are great ball strikers, both on clay and hard, but I would favor, as a creative player more, more of a creative player on clay, I would favor Carlos. I feel like he has way more options when he plays and it’s quite evident and clear. I mean, it’s not something absurd. And I would favour obviously Sinner on hard courts…

Looking at their records on clay against each other, Sinner has met Nadal three times on clay, having lost all those encounters. Two-time Roland Garros champion Alcaraz, however, does have one win against Nadal along with one loss.

Of the four times they have met on clay, Tsitsipas has one win against Nadal. Alcaraz has a 6-0 head-to-head record against Tsitsipas with four wins on clay. And against Sinner, Tsitsipas has one win and five losses on clay. The Greek star continued:

I would give Carlos more chances on Nadal on clay. If I have to bet my money somewhere. I feel like Carlos would have chances against prime Nadal on clay. I think so. I’m not saying he would have beaten him, but he would have had chances to create something special against him.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s clay season

Carlos Alcaraz has been very dominant this clay season, reaching the finals of all the tournaments he has played. He has won three of those finals and lost one of them, where he was injured. Jannik Sinner, albeit being more dominant on hard court, has greatly improved his form this season on clay. He reached the finals of both the Italian Open and the Roland Garros, losing to Alcaraz on both occasions.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Univers Tennis)

Interestingly, Sinner displayed a very remarkable run at Roland Garros, having reached the finals without dropping a set en route, a feat last accomplished by Rafael Nadal in 2020. The Roland Garros final between Sinner and Alcaraz was testament to an incredibly high level of tennis, good quality of shot making, and the great fighting spirit of both players. It is regarded as one of the greatest Grand Slam finals in history. 

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s form heading into Wimbledon

With an incredible end to the clay season, players are now gearing up for Wimbledon. Carlos Alcaraz has won his last three tournaments, including the Queen’s Club on grass, which will give him immense confidence as he attempts to accomplish a three-peat at SW19. This feat has only been accomplished by Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic so far. 

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/We Are Tennis France, Jannik Sinner HQ)

After the heartbreaking loss at Roland Garros and an early exit at the Halle Open, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will be looking to regain his form at Wimbledon and improve upon his previous record of having reached the semifinal.

Akin to the Roland Garros draw, Sinner and Alcaraz are on opposite sides at Wimbledon and will only potentially meet each other at the final. Under the guidance of new coach Goran Ivanisevic, Stefanos Tsitsipas will be looking to improve his record at Wimbledon too.

Ivanisevic has himself won a Wimbledon title in 2001 and previously coached Djokovic to three Wimbledon titles. Tsitsipas could potentially meet Alcaraz in the fourth round of the tournament this year. 

Also Read: 2025 Wimbledon Men’s Draw: Preview and Prediction Featuring Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev