Jiri Lehecka Explains How Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz Stand Out from the Pack: “That’s Something They Excel at”

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, for sure, are ahead of the pack, given that not only have they dominated since the 2024 season, but have swept away the last eight Grand Slam titles. Their rivals are working hard to catch up with them, with Jiri Lehecka being no exception.

What makes them superior is their ability to perform consistently. Although Alcaraz sometimes experiences a drop in his level, he took home eight titles from 11 finals last year, while Sinner’s tally was six from 10 finals. The player to win the third-most titles was Alexander Bublik (four). Lehecka also aims for consistency like the top two aces.

All of us who are in the top 30 or 40 in the world can reach a practically identical level of play, but the difference is consistency, how long you can maintain it, and the ability to pull off wins when you’re playing badly. That’s something Carlos and Jannik excel at. I’m putting a lot of effort into improving that aspect of my tennis.

Jiri Lehecka said at the pre-tournament press conference in Brisbane

Lehecka is the defending champion in Brisbane, and last year, he was given a walkover by Reilly Opelka in the title clash. Apart from Brisbane, Lehecka made two more finals.

He lost to Alcaraz at the Queen’s Club Championships and to Felix Auger-Aliassime at the European Open. The World No.18 trails 1-3 in the head-to-head matchups against Alcaraz. Against Sinner, he is 0-3.

The Brisbane International commenced on January 4. Daniil Medvedev is the first seed, while Lehecka is seeded third.

Daniil Medvedev says Jannik Sinner’s shots were stronger than Rafael Nadal’s

Jannik Sinner will be aiming for history at the Australian Open as well as the French Open. Another title in Melbourne will make him the second player in the Open Era, after Novak Djokovic, to win three consecutive titles.

He will complete the Career Grand Slam if he wins the French Open. It was at Roland Garros back in 2020 that Sinner made his debut and reached the quarterfinals. His baseline shots, Daniil Medvedev believes, were stronger than everyone’s, including eventual champion Rafael Nadal.

I think they are stronger than everyone, and even though I saw some stats, I think it was when Sinner lost in quarters of Roland Garros, I would not remember the year, he was super young, he was the youngest in the quarterfinal. They showed and his baseline strokes’ power was stronger than everyone, and Rafa was there at the time.

Daniil Medvedev said during his pre-tournament press conference in Brisbane

Medvedev thinks he can close the gap on Sinner and Alcaraz. Against the Italian, the World No.13 trails 7-8, while against Alcaraz, Medvedev holds a 2-6 head-to-head record.

So, hey, when someone hits stronger than you, puts everything in the court, runs definitely not slower than you, serves not worse than you, it’s tough to beat him. But you can always try. But in terms of consistency that they both showed last year, it’s probably almost impossible for anyone to get to this number two spot. But then, you know, the Slams are the most important, and they were in three out of four finals last year. But you can always beat them in one match.

Daniil Medvedev added

Medvedev had a topsy-turvy 2025 season, crashing out in the first rounds of three Grand Slams and reaching two finals, winning the Almaty Open and losing the Halle Open. Alcaraz and Sinner won’t be featuring in any warm-up tournament in Australia as they will play an exhibition event in Incheon, South Korea, prior to the Melbourne Major. The Australian Open starts on January 18.

Also read: Aryna Sabalenka Shares Sympathy for Good Friend Paula Badosa on her Constant Battles with Injuries

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