Ben Shelton Makes ‘Dominance Has Faded’ Comment About Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz: “Sad for Tennis”

Ben Shelton certainly doesn’t think Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz‘s dominance is fading. Shelton is in Basel for the Swiss Indoors, while Alcaraz is in Vienna for the Vienna Open.

But Sinner will not be active anymore, as he has already called time on this season due to his knee injury. The Italian ace last competed in the Wimbledon final, defeating Alexander Zverev in four sets and defending his title.

Not only Sinner but Alcaraz also suffered injury woes this season. He injured his wrist during the Barcelona Open, because of which he was forced to pull out of the French Open and Wimbledon.

Sinner and Alcaraz dominated the Majors in 2024 and 2025, winning four titles each. But Zverev will finish the season with the most Major titles, taking the French Open and the US Open. Alcaraz (won the Australian Open) and Sinner won the grass-court Major.

I mean, they won two of the four Slams this year. Sinner won five Masters 1000s. I don’t know that their dominance has faded. I think they’ll probably both be very happy or very healthy when it comes to the Australian Open next year.

Ben Shelton said at the pre-tournament press conference (H/T: Tennis365)

Sinner will lose his No.1 ranking to Zverev, who will become the first German man since Boris Becker in 1991 to reach the top. Before ending his season, the five-time Grand Slam champion clinched six titles, winning in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, and Wimbledon.

It’s been sad for tennis and the time that they haven’t been able to play this year. But you know, I wouldn’t go that far [that their dominance has faded]. I think there are a lot of young players who are competing more and more for bigger titles. But I think to say that they’re fading is unfair.

Ben Shelton added

Alcaraz is bidding to win his fourth title of the season in Vienna, following his wins at the Australian Open, Qatar Open, and the Japan Open. Shelton has already won four titles this season, in Dallas, Stuttgart, Munich, and Montreal. Zverev defeated the American ace in the US Open final.

Jannik Sinner on whether tennis is breaking his body

Jannik Sinner has retired mid-match from quite a few tournaments due to cramps. To test how far he can go, he competed in the first five Masters 1000s of the season, ending all in his favor.

When it mattered most, at the French Open, he suffered severe cramps, and despite needing one game to win his second-round match, he lost in five sets. And then came the knee injury.

Sinner recently sat for an interview with La Repubblica, during which he was asked whether he thinks tennis is breaking his body too much.

Injuries are part of sport. You have to be smart and understand how much and when to play. You need to have a long-term vision. Today isn’t the only thing to consider; you sow now, but the harvest comes later. And the difference is always made by hard work and preparation, not luck. That helps you win a point, not the match itself.

Sinner will play one more event this year. He has confirmed his participation in the Six Kings Slam, set to start on December 27. He will be playing as the two-time defending champion. In the previous two seasons, Sinner defeated his arch-rival, Carlos Alcaraz. If he wins, he will once again pocket $6 million.

Also read: Is Elena Rybakina Taking a Risk by Deciding to Play the Pan Pacific Open Before the WTA Finals?