Jannik Sinner is ‘better’ than Carlos Alcaraz, claims former world No 2
Jannik Sinner is a “better” player than Carlos Alcaraz when both men are at their best, according to former world No 2 and Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic.
Sinner and Alcaraz have been the dominant forces on the ATP Tour in 2024, with both men winning two Grand Slam titles.
However, while Sinner has a comfortable cushion as the world No 1, Alcaraz was again knocked down to world No 3 by Alexander Zverev on Monday.
Despite winning the French Open and Wimbledon, alongside triumphs in Indian Wells and Beijing, the Spaniard has at times struggled to find consistency in 2024.
The 21-year-old was stunned in the second round of the US Open and failed to make a semi-final at Masters 1000 level outside of his Indian Wells victory.
In contrast, Sinner has Masters 1000 titles in Miami, Cincinnati, and Shanghai to his name, alongside his Australian Open and US Open victories.
Alcaraz has won all three of their ATP Tour meetings this season but for Ivanisevic, it is clear that Sinner is currently ahead.
Speaking to Tennis Majors, the Grand Slam winner claimed the Italian was “more consistent” and that Alcaraz has suffered losses he “couldn’t explain”.
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He said: “They’re different players, but when they are both at their best, I feel that Sinner is better.
“He is more consistent throughout the match, whether Alcaraz can go from hitting amazing shots to some easy errors.
“This year, Carlos had a few losses I couldn’t explain… If we move Novak out of the equation, they will dominate, they are way above anyone else on the Tour.”
Despite some inconsistent form in 2024, Alcaraz is now a four-time Grand Slam champion, while Sinner achieved the rare feat of winning his first two majors in the same season.
Many had predicted that as ‘Big Three’ era came to a close, there would be more opportunities for players to potentially lift their first Grand Slam title.
Among the leading contenders in that conversation was Zverev, who recently won the seventh Masters 1000 title of his career at the Paris Masters.
But, when questioned if the German was a genuine contender to Alcaraz and Sinner at Slams, Ivanisevic offered a dismissive verdict.
He added: “Nobody [can challenge Sinner and Alcaraz]. Zverev has too many ups and downs.
“He plays great up until some point, then comes a match where he really needs to put it together, where he needs to perform at his best – that’s when he fails, and against Alcaraz and Sinner, you need to be at your best always.”
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