Roger Federer’s ex-coach explains why Carlos Alcaraz ‘will have more ups and downs’ in his career than Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner has been playing consistent tennis but Roger Federer's ex-coach is not at all concerned about an inconsistent Carlos Alcaraz.

Roger Federer’s ex-coach explains why Carlos Alcaraz ‘will have more ups and downs’ in his career than Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Images via X/The Tennis Letter)

Roger Federer‘s former coach Paul Annacone analyzed Carlos Alcaraz‘s game and explained what makes him different from Jannik Sinner. According to the coach, Alcaraz is going to have lots of ups and downs in his career.

Alcaraz, following his early exit at the Miami Open, started his campaign on the clay swing emphatically, as he progressed to the second final of the season at the Monte Carlo Masters where he set up the clash with Lorenzo Musetti. Sinner, on the other hand, is on the sidelines and will continue to be so until May 4 as he has received a three-month doping suspension from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

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I think historically he’s [Alcaraz] going to have a little bit more volatility because he has so much variety in the way he plays. Because of his personality, he comes forward, he stays back, he hits drop balls, he hits winners, he plays consistently. So he’s going to have some ups and downs, more so than someone like Jannik Sinner, who is more consistent.

Paul Annacone said on Tennis Channel

Last year, the 23-year-old ended the season as the most successful ATP player, winning eight official titles, including the Australian Open and the US Open. Alcaraz, apart from completing the Channel Slam, lifted the titles at Indian Wells and the China Open. He also came close to winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics but Novak Djokovic denied him the same in the final.

His 2024 season was considered inconsistent and this season too, was no different. He has been making deep runs and progressing to finals but has also made shock early exits.

Marco Panichi says Jannik Sinner has rediscovered himself during the three-month doping ban

The fate of Jannik Sinner‘s career would have been in the hands of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if he had not reached the case resolution with the WADA. Although the three-month doping caused a lot of controversy, according to Sinner’s fitness coach Marco Panichi, the ban took away the World No.1’s routine but it has recharged his batteries as he has been engaged in activities that are fun and challenging.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/The Tennis Podcast)

It is the variety in the work protocol that allows us to understand if we are doing well. In these three months, moreover, he has taken some time off for himself: he has rediscovered himself. Detoxification is underway. I’m very happy: on a mental level, he’s transformed. He will return to Rome with enormous motivation and important freshness.

Marco Panichi told Corriere Della Sera

Panichi joined Sinner’s team in 2024 after the three-time Grand Slam champion parted ways with Umberto Ferrara and also Giacomo Naldi (his former physio). Sinner hired Ulises Badio as his fitness coach.

Ferrara had bought a spray containing banned anabolic steroid clostebol from Italy and suggested it to Naldi who had a cut on his finger. During physiotherapy sessions, the substance contaminated Sinner and thus started the entire doping saga.

Sinner, so far in the season, has lifted just one title: the Australian Open. He beat World No.2 Alexander Zverev to take home his career’s third Major. Sinner then skipped the Rotterdam Open and was gearing up for the Qatar Open when the WADA announced that they reached a settlement agreement with him.

All eyes will be on Sinner when he makes his comeback. Sinner’s ban lifts on May 4 and he has confirmed that he will be playing the Italian Open. Following his home tournament, he will be heading to Hamburg for the ATP 500 event on clay, ahead of the French Open.