Brad Gilbert Explains Why Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz Are Not in His All-Time Top 10

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz still need to do more to be considered part of Brad Gilbert‘s list of all-time greats. At present, Sinner and Alcaraz have won a combined 12 Grand Slam titles.

Alcaraz became the youngest man to win seven Grand Slam titles by defeating Novak Djokovic in this year’s Australian Open. Then Alexander Zverev broke the Alcaraz-Sinner duopoly in Majors by clinching the French Open (defeated Flavio Cobolli). At Wimbledon, the Italian ace defended his crown with a four-set win over the German.

To become one of the top-10 all-time greats, Sinner and Alcaraz need to reach a double-digit tally in Grand Slams and have longevity, believes Gilbert. In Coco Gauff‘s former coach’s list, Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer occupy the top 3 spots.

Okay, provided they [Alcaraz and Sinner] both stay healthy and do a lot more, they’re going to be high up on the list. But at the moment, you know, they are not in the top 10. Number one, obviously, is Novak, Rafa, number two, Fed, number three, Pete [Sampras], four, [Bjorn] Borg, five, [Rod] Laver, six. Then seven through 10. I mean, this is heavy company, but a lot of people will mix this around. I got Andre [Agassi] at seven. I got John [McEnroe] at eight because of his insane doubles resume.

Brad Gilbert told Tennis Channel

Sinner and Alcaraz dominated in the Majors since the 2024 Australian Open until their streak was ended by Zverev in Paris. Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon due to a wrist injury, with some reports claiming he could make his return at the Cincinnati Masters to defend his title.

I got [Jimmy] Connors at nine. I got [Ivan] Lendl at 10. And if you think that like, oh, they should be right next to them, you still got 11 through 14-15: [Mats] Wilander, [Stefan] Edberg, [Boris] Becker, [Ken] Rosewall, [John] Newcombe, lots of guys through that first 15 for me.

Brad Gilbert added

Djokovic, even though he hasn’t yet won a title this year, has already played in a Grand Slam final. He reached the championship match at the Australian Open after beating Sinner in the semifinals, but lost the final to Alcaraz. In Paris and Wimbledon, he lost to Joao Fonseca in the third round and to Sinner in the semifinals, respectively.

Alexander Bublik says players have given up while facing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the Majors

Alexander Bublik is competing at the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad. Before the event, he played at Wimbledon, where Taylor Fritz beat him in the fourth round. Bublik was bidding to win his third title on grass following his wins at the 2023 and 2025 Halle Open. Last year in Halle, he knocked out defending champion Jannik Sinner in the round of 16.

But in Majors, Bublik believes, Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have become invincible, so much so that other players have stopped believing that they have a chance to beat the World No.1 and the World No.3.

At Grand Slams, where Sinner and Alcaraz feel best and are perfectly prepared, you don’t really have a chance. I feel like the other players have given up – me too, by the way. That changes your goals. I recently spoke to my coach: a Grand Slam win is almost out of reach when both are fit. So my goal is: quarter-finals, maybe semi-finals – then I’m going home happy.

Alexander Bublik told Tennis Magazin

Sinner is next scheduled to play the Canadian Open. And if he decides to play, he will be chasing a sixth consecutive Masters 1000 title.

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