Former tennis ace speaks highly of Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner rivalry as she thinks it will “characterize tennis” for the next few years

Alcaraz and Sinner have won the first three Grand Slam events of 2024.

Former tennis ace speaks highly of Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner rivalry as she thinks it will “characterize tennis” for the next few years

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (via Imago)

Former US Open champion Gabriela Sabatini believes the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will define the future of men’s tennis. The duo has dominated the game in 2024, winning the first three Grand Slam events.

Alcaraz and Sinner have met nine times so far on the tour, with the Spaniard holding a slight advantage at 5-4. However, the 1990 US Open winner, Sabatini, isn’t backing either one as better.

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Sinner or Alcaraz, who is stronger? Don't ask me that question… For me, they are just the two best players at the moment. I think their rivalry will be the one that will characterize tennis in the coming years.
Gabriela Sabatini said in an interview with La Stampa (H/T: We Love Tennis)

Sinner started the season strong by winning the Australian Open, beating Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev to win his first Grand Slam. His unbeaten start to the season was halted by Alcaraz in the Indian Wells semi-finals. The Spaniard eventually went on to win the BNP Paribas Open for the second time in his career.

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Sinner rebounded well by winning Miami, his second Masters 1000 title. Although the duo had a tough clay court season, they played one of the standout matches of 2024 in the Roland Garros semi-final, where Alcaraz came back from two sets to one down to beat the Italian and reach his first Roland Garros final.

Eventually, Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon. Sinner, on the other hand, is holding onto the World No.1 ranking, which he achieved after his Roland Garros campaign.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in a close race to become Year-End World No.1 in 2024

Carlos Alcaraz has set up a thrilling contest for the ATP Year-End No. 1 with Jannik Sinner after his Wimbledon victory on Sunday. The win at the grass-court major gave Alcaraz 2,000 points. The Spaniard, who was the youngest to achieve ATP Year-End No. 1 at age 19 in 2022, is now aiming for the top spot again after winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner (via Imago)

Sinner, who won his first major at the Australian Open, has also had a strong season. He won in Rotterdam, the Miami Masters, and Halle, leading the Live Race by a good margin. Alcaraz, with his recent Slam victories, has significantly closed this gap.

By reaching the Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic has moved up seven spots to sixth place in the Live Race. He is now in a good position to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, scheduled from November 10-17. If he qualifies, it will be his 17th time, tying him with Rafael Nadal for the second-most in history.

Among the top eight players in the Live Race, only Alex de Minaur has not yet competed in the season finale. Currently, the seventh-placed Australian is 240 points ahead of Stefanos Tsitsipas, who holds the final qualifying spot.

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