Chris Evert on which of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz is ‘mentally tougher’
Chris Evert believes that Jannik Sinner is ‘mentally tougher’ than world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz, despite having fewer ‘options’ in his playstyle.
The two favourites for the French Open title have looked in impressive form so far at the Parisian Grand Slam, and it would come as no surprise if Sinner and Alcaraz – once again- meet on Philippe Chatrier at the end of the tournament.
Evert – who is a former world No 1 and an 18-time Grand Slam champion – took time to point out the key differences between the Italian and the Spaniard, after the former’s straight-forward match over the retiring Richard Gasquet.
“I think mentally Sinner is the tougher player,” said Evert, whilst speaking to Eurosport.
“I think he is mentally a little tougher than Carlos Alcaraz because he [Sinner] does not have as many options in his game.
“He does everything so well, he has full awareness of what his strengths and weaknesses are.
“He has length, he has power, and he is learning.
“As his coach Darren Cahill has said he is learning more about drop shots, and he is learning more about coming in.
“I think he has learnt a lot from that last match [against Gasquet] that he played.”
Sinner and Alcaraz have met on 11 occasions, with the Spaniard leading their head-to-head 7-4.
Despite the world No 1 holding a 4-3 advantage by the end of 2023, Alcaraz has claimed the victory in all of their four last meetings.
Most recently, the two met in the final of the Rome Masters, where the Spaniard defeated Sinner 7-6(5), 6-1 to claim a second Masters 1000 title of the season.
Whilst it can be debated as to who, indeed, is ‘mentally stronger’, Alcaraz did admit to being affected by Sinner’s absence from the tour – after he was suspended from professionally competing for three months, due to failing two doping tests in March 2024.
“A lot of people are asking me, or are telling me, that I have the chance to become No. 1 if Jannik isn’t playing,” the former world No 1 stated, before his Monte Carlo campaign.
“So probably that pressure has killed me in some way.”
As a result of being mentally affected, Alcaraz shifted his expectations to enable him to play with more freedom.
“I’m just thinking that I’m not able to become No. 1 in the clay season, even if Jannik is not playing, I don’t have the chance to do it,” Alcaraz admitted.
“I think I’m too far from Jannik. So I’m just here and I realise that I don’t have to think about it and just go there and play. That’s my mindset right now.”
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Meanwhile, Eurosport contributor – and former British No 1 – Tim Henman has stated that Sinner will gain confidence from each match that he plays, after not playing for an extended period.
Despite this, the Brit has predicted Alcaraz to triumph at the second Grand Slam of the season and claim his fifth such title.
“I think Sinner is a close second, I think Alcaraz is the favourite,” said Henman.
“I think every time he wins a match it is a big step in the right direction because he is getting more and more court time.
“But I do think Alcaraz is still the favourite.”
