Jimmy Connors Demands ‘Alternations’ Within the Carlos Alcaraz Jannik Sinner Rivalry

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have won the last 8 Grand Slam titles.

Jimmy Connors Demands ‘Alternations’ Within the Carlos Alcaraz Jannik Sinner Rivalry

Jannik Sinner, Jimmy Connors, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Lob and Smash, X/Jannik Sinner HQ, Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

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On his podcast, Jimmy Connors discussed the growing rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. He praised their battles but suggested that the tour would benefit from a third force entering the mix. According to Connors, tennis thrives when rivalries involve more than just two names.

He compared the situation to the mid-2000s. Back then, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal dominated the sport with their legendary duels. The arrival of Novak Djokovic added a new dimension, raising the intensity and keeping fans engaged. Connors said on his podcast:

Djokovic’s dominance is insane because there are only two players at a level above his. It’s insane. And the young ones will have to improve, and I say this with the utmost respect, because otherwise, we’ll just have an Alcaraz-Sinner duel, Alcaraz-Sinner, Alcaraz-Sinner. It’s been like this for the last eight Grand Slams. Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal suddenly had Djokovic, then Andy Murray. There were alternations that made the rivalry more exciting, but we need someone to take a stand and participate in this rivalry.

Connors argued that a similar development now would be crucial. While Alcaraz and Sinner are exciting to watch, a third contender could lift the tour’s drama to another level. Rivalries with multiple players often create more storylines and unpredictability.

For Connors, this type of competition is what sustains long-term interest in tennis. Alcaraz and Sinner may already represent the future, but a new challenger could push them further and keep the sport’s popularity growing.

Novak Djokovic set to play Shanghai Masters

Tournament organizers confirmed on Tuesday that Novak Djokovic will return to action at the Shanghai Masters next month. In a social media post, they expressed excitement, noting that the four-time champion will once again compete in the event starting October 1.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

The 24-time Grand Slam winner has not played since his US Open semi-final loss to Carlos Alcaraz earlier in September. After that defeat, Djokovic gave little clarity about his end-of-season plans. His reduced schedule in 2025 had left questions about where he would next appear.

So far, the 38-year-old has only committed to the ATP 250 event in Athens, scheduled for November 2-8, which replaced the Belgrade stop on the calendar. His participation in the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals remains uncertain. Both events are major fixtures following Shanghai, but Djokovic has yet to confirm his entry.

Djokovic’s history in Shanghai is strong, having lifted the trophy in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018. His return adds intrigue to the tournament, as fans will be eager to see how he performs after a quieter season and an extended break from competition.

Jannik Sinner set to begin China Open campaign

Jannik Sinner will begin his China Open campaign in Beijing against 2011 finalist Marin Cilic. This will be his first appearance since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final. Sinner, who captured the Beijing title in 2023 before finishing runner-up to Alcaraz last year, already owns two Grand Slam titles from the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Jannik Sinner (2)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

If he advances, Sinner could face either local wild card Zhang Zhizhen or another wild card in the second round. A projected quarterfinal clash with Karen Khachanov looms, with potential semifinal opponents including third seed Alex De Minaur or eighth seed Jakub Mensik. De Minaur, fresh off an ATP 500 win in Washington, opens against China’s Buyunchaokete, while Mensik begins as the Miami Masters champion from earlier this season.

In the bottom half of the draw, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev returns to Beijing against Lorenzo Sonego. A second-round match could see him face either Corentin Moutet or Tallon Griekspoor. Zverev, a three-time Beijing semifinalist, might meet Daniil Medvedev, last year’s finalist, in the quarterfinals.

Zverev’s possible semifinal opponents include fourth seed Lorenzo Musetti or sixth seed Andrey Rublev. Musetti, who reached the Roland Garros semifinals this year, starts against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Rublev faces Wimbledon finalist Flavio Cobolli in his opener. Alexander Bublik, champion in Huangzhou this season, is also part of Zverev’s half of the draw, adding more depth to the competition.

Also Read: Former World No.1 in Awe of Carlos Alcaraz After Watching Him Play Up Close at Laver Cup