“They’ve Never Held a Racket,” WTA Pro Slams Jannik Sinner’s Critics Accusing Him of Having ‘Unexciting Style of Play’

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz could schedule a third consecutive Grand Slam final clash at the US Open.

“They’ve Never Held a Racket,” WTA Pro Slams Jannik Sinner’s Critics Accusing Him of Having ‘Unexciting Style of Play’

Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

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Many from the tennis world think Jannik Sinner‘s style of play is ‘boring’, saying he is too efficient and predictable as compared to his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz, who can bring out various types of shots to take his opponents by surprise. Though some think that Alcaraz confuses himself as well, because he has so many weapons in his arsenal that he sometimes struggles to choose what to use.

The biggest weapon that Sinner possesses, perhaps, is his strong forehand and backhand groundstrokes, and his ability to generate a lot of speed on a consistent basis. His compatriot, WTA World No. 283, Martina Trevisan, told Fan Page that Sinner’s game is just “clean and precise every time“, slamming those people who think the 23-year-old plays unexciting tennis.

Those who accuse him of having an unexciting style of play have probably never held a racket, because seeing Jannik play, recognizing how simple he makes even the most complex gestures, is a feast for the eyes and the heart. And I don’t say this just as a fan, but also as a professional who knows that some forehands are a slap in the face of the laws of physics.

Sinner and Alcaraz have played the finals of the last two Grand Slam events. In the French Open final- the longest in the history of tennis- Alcaraz saved three championship points to defend his title. Sinner deleted the heartbreaking loss from his mind and made a strong comeback at Wimbledon, avenging his defeat and becoming the first Italian ever to win at SW19.

With this win, the four-time Grand Slam champion denied Alcaraz a three-peat at SW19. It was Sinner’s first victory over the five-time Grand Slam champion after five consecutive defeats. He now holds a 5-8 head-to-head record over Alcaraz. In Grand Slam finals, they are tied at 1-1.

Alcaraz was chasing his fifth title on grass at Wimbledon. For Sinner, it was his second on the surface following his victory at the 2024 Halle Open. The 22-year-old played at Wimbledon as the two-time defending champion. Sinner, before this season, was a semifinalist in 2023 and a quarterfinalist in 2024.

Mats Wilander feels Jannik Sinner has worked on his improvement more than Carlos Alcaraz

Mats Wilander thinks Jannik Sinner has improved a lot over the last couple of years, more than Carlos Alcaraz. The Swede is expecting the Spaniard to work more on his game, particularly on his shot selection.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (2)
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

Watching this final unfold, it was hard to believe that Carlos Alcaraz had won his last five matches with Jannik Sinner. And easy to remember that, yes, Jannik should have won at Roland Garros a month ago. There, as here, he was the better player.

Mats Wilander told L’Equipe

Had he defeated Sinner, he would have completed the Channel Slam twice in a row, becoming the second man after Bjorn Borg to win the French Open and Wimbledon in a season for the second time. Alcaraz suffered a defeat in a Grand Slam final for the first time and now holds a 5-1 win-loss record.

Both Sinner and Alcaraz will be the heavy favorites to win the US Open, where both of them will be aiming to win the title for the second time. Sinner will enter Flushing Meadows as the defending champion; last year, he defeated home favorite Taylor Fritz in straight sets. Alcaraz had lifted the first of his five Grand Slam titles here back in 2022.

The two young rivals will next be playing the Canadian Open, which starts on July 27th. Alcaraz had skipped the event last year, while the 23-year-old lost in the quarterfinals to eventual runner-up Andrey Rublev.

Also read: Hubert Hurkacz Claims Tennis with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz is on a Whole New Level Beyond the Big 4