Italian Tennis Great Explains Why ‘Robotic’ Jannik Sinner is Cut Above ‘Imaginative’ Carlos Alcaraz After ATP Finals
World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz holds a 10-6 head-to-head lead over arch-rival Jannik Sinner.
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Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Jannik Sinner HQ)
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In the title clash of the ATP Finals, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, for the last time this season, were pitted against each other. It was also their sixth meeting this year, with the Spaniard emerging victorious four times.
In the ATP Finals, despite Alcaraz’s 10-5 head-to-head lead prior to the match, the Italian had an edge, thanks to his indoor hardcourt record, as well as the fact that the home favorite had the backing of the majority of the crowd. Adriano Panatta, a former player from Italy, compared the two young Grand Slam champions, explaining why he thinks Sinner was a more formidable force in the tournament.
Sinner is human, even if he sometimes seems a bit robotic. I think he’s a bit like Haaland. Beyond that, the ATP Finals final was a magnificent match, which showed the soul of the two best players on the tour.
Adriano Panatta told La Domenica Sportiva
Prior to the season-ending championship, the World No.1 and the World No.2 met in the finals of the Italian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open. Sinner clinched the win only at SW19, denying Alcaraz a three-peat.
Alcaraz is a more talented, imaginative, and spontaneous tennis player, but against a Sinner who is so pragmatic in his game and mentally strong, who managed to prevail on all the important points, there wasn’t much that could be done. You have to remember that Jannik won without losing a single match or a single set, which means he’s really a cut above.
Adriano Panatta added
Sinner did not drop a set en route to the win, and as he did not lose a round-robin match, he pocketed a record $5.07 million as prize money. He started the tournament as the World No.1 player, and in spite of the victory, he will end the season as the No.2 player.
Sinner dropped to the second spot for the first time after his US Open defeat. He removed the six-time Grand Slam champion from the top following his back-to-back wins at the Vienna Open and the ATP Finals, but Alcaraz’s semifinal qualification in the year-end event ensured his No.1 ranking.
Adriano Panatta on who has a better chance of completing the Calendar Grand Slam between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz achieved the most this season as he took home eight titles from 11 finals. But Jannik Sinner, despite his three-month doping ban, was far better than the other players, as he clinched six titles from 10 finals.
Sinner, in fact, has taken home 14 titles from 19 finals since 2024. This only shows how consistent the four-time Grand Slam is. He even played the final of every Major this year, winning at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Because of his consistent performance, Adriano Panatta is convinced his compatriot has the better chance of completing the Calendar Grand Slam than Alcaraz.
I think he has a better chance of doing this feat than Alcaraz. The Italian ace is competitive on all surfaces, and I am convinced that Darren Cahill has decided to stay in his team because he believes that this goal is achievable.
Adriano Panatta told La Domenica Sportiva
Next is the Davis Cup Finals, which starts on November 18 in Bologna. Alcaraz will be playing for Spain, who will start their campaign against the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. Spain last lifted the title in 2019. Sinner has decided to withdraw from it.
In the past two seasons, the 24-year-old helped Italy win the prestigious title. The two-time defending champion will lock horns with Austria in the last eight.
Also read: Jannik Sinner Addresses Engagement Rumors With Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic After ATP Finals Win
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