ATP Pro Explains Why Carlos Alcaraz is ‘More Complete’ Player Than Jannik Sinner: “He Can Reach a Higher Level”

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have won the last seven titles and will be the heavy favorites to double their US Open title tally.

ATP Pro Explains Why Carlos Alcaraz is ‘More Complete’ Player Than Jannik Sinner: “He Can Reach a Higher Level”

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Univers Tennis)

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Carlos Alcaraz will start his campaign on the North American hard-court swing at the Canadian Open, which Jannik Sinner was also scheduled to play. But the Italian has pulled out of the tournament and is expected to play the Cincinnati Masters next to defend his title.

About a week ago, Sinner ended the Wimbledon Championships in his favor by securing a four-set win over Alcaraz, becoming the first player ever from Italy to emerge victorious in the grass-court Major.

Last month, the World No.1 was dealt with a huge blow when, despite being on the verge of winning the French Open, he squandered three championship points in the fourth set thanks to a stunning comeback from the Spaniard. After surviving the scare, the 22-year-old dared not look back, ending the clay-court Major in his favor, defending the title.

Now, ATP pro Tallon Griekspoor, when he compared the two Grand Slam winners during the Changeover podcast, said Alcaraz has the ability to save himself from precarious situations during matches because he has so many options to choose from. The Dutch player claimed that he has a better chance of winning when he is up against Sinner than Alcaraz because of the latter’s unpredictable style of play.

With Sinner, you know what to expect. He does it incredibly well. He’s the best player in the world. But at the same time, he doesn’t have Alcaraz’s skills and net game. He doesn’t have the drop shot. He doesn’t have the backhand slice. What Carlos does is incredible. Sinner is at an incredible level, but I think Alcaraz has a few more options.

According to the Dutchman, what Alcaraz lacks a bit is consistency, and he struggles with the decision to choose the right shot at the right moment.

I think Alcaraz can reach a higher level than Sinner. He’s more complete than Sinner. But whatever Sinner does, he’s the best in the world at it.

Tallon Griekspoor added

The 29-year-old has never defeated the four-time Grand Slam champion in their six meetings. Against Alcaraz too, Griekspoor has not registered a win, trailing 0-5 in the head-to-head matchups. Griekspoor was last seen in action at the Nordea Open, where he lost the quarterfinal match in straight sets against Jesper De Jong.

Mats Wilander feels Jannik Sinner is a better role model than Carlos Alcaraz

Mats Wilander also shared a similar opinion to that of Tallon Griekspoor about the playing styles of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The Swede suggested that Sinner has a simple way of playing tennis and has mastered the techniques with continuous hard work and dedication.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (3)
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

He’s leading the way and will quickly serve as a role model, because not everyone can play tennis like Alcaraz. That requires extremely rare talent. On the other hand, everyone can try to play like Sinner, which doesn’t require exceptional talent in itself, but total dedication.

Mats Wilander told L’Equipe

Alcaraz has met Sinner thrice this year, winning two of those matches: in Rome and Paris. In Grand Slam finals, the two young rivals hold a 1-1 win-loss record. Sinner stopped Alcaraz from completing the three-peat at Wimbledon.

They have won the last seven Majors, with Novak Djokovic being the last player other than them to win a title of this category. At the US Open, Sinner will aim to defend his title. Alcaraz was the winner at Flushing Meadows in 2022.

The five-time Grand Slam champion has lifted the most number of titles this season on the ATP tour, winning trophies in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Rome, Paris, and London (Queen’s Club). Sinner has reached four finals and won two titles: at Wimbledon and at the Australian Open.

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