“Alcaraz and Sinner are ahead of everyone else,” Roger Federer’s former coach analyses Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s chances with Novak Djokovic as the point of reference

The two young guns have already clinched Grand Slam singles titles, something many of their senior colleagues haven't been able to do despite many hopes from them.

“Alcaraz and Sinner are ahead of everyone else,” Roger Federer’s former coach analyses Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s chances with Novak Djokovic as the point of reference

Ivan Ljubicic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner (Images via IMAGO)

When tennis fans were worried about who would replace the Big-3 when they eventually retire, young guns Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have stepped up brilliantly. The two have already won Grand Slam single titles and are currently ranked inside the Top-3 with Novak Djokovic sitting at the very top.

Giving his two cents on the topic, Roger Federer‘s former coach Ivan Ljubicic was full of praise for the two. He was however more inclined towards Sinner given his recent win at the 2024 Australian Open. The Italian first defeated defending champ and 10-time AO winner Djokovic in the semis.

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Playing in his first Major finals, he went two sets down against Daniil Medvedev. With many already declaring the Russian as the winner, the Italian made a historic comeback to win the title. He went 16 matches unbeaten this year before Alcaraz defeated him in the Indian Wells semis.

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As the two youngsters are currently tied at 4-4 in their head-to-head, the Croatian felt Sinner still holds an edge. He found only a handful of players who can put the 22-year-old in a spot. He also felt Alcaraz has been better understood by opponents now making things difficult for the Spaniard. 

In the case of Alcaraz, it is an opponent who has already won two Slams at the age of twenty. There are very few players who can put Sinner in difficulty, and it is not certain that the Spaniard's winning Indian Wells tactics will bear the same fruits in the future, because Jannik will have found the adjustments.
said Ljubicic speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 45-year-old further commented on Sinner suggesting him not to make any big changes. Simple refinements and small corrections will take him a long way and only make things difficult for his opponents. 

Jannik still has room for improvement and doesn't need to distort himself: he will simply have to refine the details of his game. He is now a super player, the others must find the right keys in a sustained way to beat him.
added the former Olympics bronze medallist.

Ivan Ljubicic declares Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as leaders of the Tour in the coming years

Despite Djokovic being near the end of his career, the 24-time singles Grand Slam title winner continues to lead the Tour. He still has been the opponent to beat. But Ljubicic feels he is just a reference point to decide how good Sinner and Alcaraz currently are.

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner (Image via Imago)
I believe that at this moment, waiting to understand how Novak Djokovic is, Alcaraz and Sinner are ahead of everyone else and will remain there in the coming years too. They will be the reference points.
concluded the Croatian.

With hopes of the future being initially pinned on the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, and Medvedev, they have combined won two singles Majors. Thiem with his US Open title in 2020 and Medvedev following suit in 2021 have been the only wins.

Sinner and Alcaraz have overtaken these guys to leapfrog them and break into the Top-3. While Alcaraz has spent 36 weeks as the World No. 1, Sinner is currently at his peak ranking of World No. 3. But with Djokovic currently holding a lead of 1400+ points over the Italian, it could be a while before the 22-year-old reaches the top.

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