‘Carlos Alcaraz is simply a greater talent than Jannik Sinner’, claims Novak Djokovic’s former coach
Novak Djokovic’s former coach Nikola Pilic has asserted that Carlos Alcaraz is “simply the greater talent” when compared to his rival Jannik Sinner.
The 1973 French Open finalist described Alcaraz as the most mature player of his generation and explained he also has “a lot of sympathy” for Sinner.
Alcaraz and Sinner are the two leading stars of their generation and are the only male players born after 1996 to win a Grand Slam title. Daniil Medvedev, who is 28, is the next-youngest major champion in men’s tennis.
Sinner, 22, has been the most consistent ATP player since the 2023 US Open and is the world No 1, while he won his first Grand Slam at the 2024 Australian Open.
Alcaraz, who turned 21 in May, has already won four majors and has been the standout player this summer, having secured the French Open and Wimbledon crowns and claimed a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
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In an interview with Tennis Magazin, Pilic argued Alcaraz is a level above Sinner in terms of talent and praised the Spaniard’s maturity and playing style.
“Carlos is a very mature talent, the most mature of his generation,” Pilic assessed. “I also have a lot of sympathy for Jannik Sinner, but for me Carlos is simply the greater talent. He is very active and plays incredible tennis.”
Sinner and Alcaraz are both competing at the Cincinnati Masters — the last big tournament before the 2024 US Open begins on August 26. The Italian is the top seed, while Alcaraz is the second seed in the absence of world No 2 Djokovic.
Ahead of the Cincinnati Open, Alcaraz expressed his aim to chase down Sinner at the top of the ATP Rankings and in the Race to the ATP Finals in Turin.
“Obviously being No 1 is a goal every time that I am [behind] and the race is an important ranking for me,” said the world No 3.
“At the end of the year, if you end the race No 1, in the rankings [it is] quite similar, so you’re going to end the No 1. So I’m really focused on that.
“I’m focused on going to every tournament, thinking about playing great tennis, doing a good result just to get better in the race.
“This year, ending the year as No 1 is one of my main goals right now. So I’m looking forward to doing it and let’s see.
“I’m fighting for being No 1 in the race, that’s something that I really want to to do as soon as possible, if I could do it in the future.”
Alcaraz will begin his Cincinnati campaign against either Gael Monfils or Alexei Popyrin, while Sinner will take on Alex Michelsen in his opening match at the ATP Masters 1000 event.
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