Mats Wilander Believes Jannik Sinner’s Evolution for the past Two Years Has Been Better Than Carlos Alcaraz’s

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been dominating the men's tennis circuit over the last two seasons.

Mats Wilander Believes Jannik Sinner’s Evolution for the past Two Years Has Been Better Than Carlos Alcaraz’s

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Mats Wilander (via X/Carlos Alcaraz/Danny)

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Jannik Sinner has won four of the last seven Grand Slam titles, one more than his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian star and the Spaniard have dominated the men’s circuit for the past two seasons. However, tennis legend Mats Wilander believes that the World No.1 has evolved better than Alcaraz since 2023.

Sinner won his first Grand Slam at the 2024 Australian Open, almost two years after Alcaraz had claimed his maiden major title at the US Open in New York. The 23-year-old had to wait until September last year to claim his second Slam at Flushing Meadows and then defended the Australian Open in January.

He faced Alcaraz at the French Open final, just over a month after returning from his three-month suspension. The World No.1 was two points up before the Spaniard came from behind to win the match in five sets after five hours and 29 minutes, the longest final in the history of the tournament.

Sinner then secured a chance for revenge against Alcaraz at the Wimbledon final. The Italian star had to rally from a set down to end Alcaraz’s 24-match winning streak on tour and secure his first grass-court Grand Slam title.

Mats Wilander revealed during an interview with L’Equipe that Sinner’s evolution on the court has been far better than Alcaraz’s own. The tennis legend added that Alcaraz has a lot of room for improvement, especially on his shots:

Looking at the evolution of both players from a perspective, I would say that Jannik has improved more than Carlos in the last two years together, which at the same time leaves a lot of room for improvement for Carlos in the future. Personally, I think the Spanish player can still improve a lot in terms of shot selection, I’m not saying it’s always the case, but in some instances.

Nonetheless, Alcaraz leads Sinner in head-to-head record on number of titles won this season 5-2. The former claimed the Monte Carlo Masters, Italian Open, French Open, and Queen’s Club Championships, losing just once in the process. Sinner won the Australian Open and Wimbledon Championships.

Mats Wilander says Jannik Sinner serves as a role model to other players

Jannik Sinner first made a mark in the ATP circuit after winning the Canadian Open in 2023, his first ATP Masters 1000 title. Almost two years down the line, he has won three more Masters titles taking his tally to four in his career. This season, he’s yet to win any titles apart from Grand Slams as he was away for three months, serving a doping suspension.

Jannik Sinner (3)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

During the aforementioned interview, Mats Wilander revealed that Sinner’s tennis has been five or ten years ahead of what he imagined. The former World No.1 added that the Italian star will serve as a role model to other players:

Seeing his game in recent times, I believe that Jannik Sinner’s tennis is five or even ten years ahead of what I always imagined the evolution of the game would be in this era. Jannik is leading this path and will quickly serve as a role model for everyone, as not everyone can develop the tennis that Carlos Alcaraz has.

Sinner has withdrawn from the Canadian Open, as he looks to rest following his Wimbledon triumph. The former champion failed to defend the title last year after losing to eventual runners-up Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.

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