Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner rivalry is ‘going to be very good for tennis’, says former world No 3
Former world No 3 and US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has praised Carlos Alcaraz’s “freshness and naturalness” as he said the Spaniard’s rivalry with Jannik Sinner would be “very good for tennis.”
The Argentine, who won 22 titles during his career, retired from the sport in 2022 and has been an avid spectator since then, watching the rise of Alcaraz and Sinner in recent seasons.
Del Potro is in Madrid this week – where world No 3 Alcaraz is the two-time defending champion – and, speaking to Punto de Break, hailed what he is bringing to the sport.
And he also celebrated Sinner’s role in extending an extraordinary tennis legacy of famed rivalries.
He said: “I love seeing Alcaraz because he has a freshness and naturalness when walking on the court that makes him look like a 30-year-old guy who has been on the circuit for 10 years and is super young.
“He is going to be very good for tennis, that face-to-face against Sinner. A rivalry that tennis constantly had is going to happen. First it was Agassi-Sampras, then Roger-Rafa, then Novak.
“And now it will be the two of them.”
DELPO!
@delpotrojuan #MMOPEn pic.twitter.com/8iSsKz5Q55
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 28, 2024
Though Alcaraz and Sinner are set to become the leading figures over the next few years of tennis, it looks set to be an era of incredible strength and depth across all levels.
And Argentina is one of the strongest nations on tour right now, with players such as Francisco Cerundolo – who has reached the last eight in Madrid – and Tomas Martin Etchevery finding success on the ATP.
With more success looking likely for Argentine players over the coming years, particularly on clay, del Potro revealed he was thrilled to have provided a positive example for those following in his footsteps.
He added: “Having marked a stage for the Argentine kids who are here now is very nice.
“When they give interviews they mention me as a reference. This marks you and shows the passage of time because one grows older.
“In Argentina, thank God, there are very good players, but you don’t have to compare them because what they are doing is devalued and it is something super valuable.
“Here in Spain, Carlitos is always compared to Rafa. I like that Pedro Cachín can play against Rafa. Also see Cerúndolo, Etcheverry, Baez.
“It will be a group that will be there fighting for many years.”
