‘If I had to put money on Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz having a better career, I’d pick Sinner’
Rennae Stubbs has revealed she would put money on Jannik Sinner “doing better” than Carlos Alcaraz in the next decade if she had to choose between the pair.
The former doubles world No 1, a former coach of tennis legend Serena Williams, described Alcaraz’s consistency as “a real worry” and argued Sinner has “less weaknesses” than the Spaniard.
Sinner and Alcaraz are widely regarded as the two leading young stars in the men’s game and are the only current ATP players under the age of 28 to win Grand Slam titles.
Alcaraz has achieved huge success in his short career to date, having claimed two majors and become the youngest player to be ranked ATP world No 1 after winning the 2022 US Open.
The 20-year-old Spaniard has experienced a more challenging period since his superb triumph at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships in July – which was the last title he won. The world No 2 reached his only final since his All England Club victory at the Cincinnati Masters in August.
From around the same time Alcaraz’s dip started, Sinner has reached a new level and had the best period of his career. After reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals last year, Sinner won titles in Toronto, Beijing Vienna, was a runner-up at the ATP Finals in Turin, and led Italy to Davis Cup glory to end his season.
Sinner has won four of his seven encounters with Alcaraz, including the last two meetings — with their most recent matchup coming in Beijing in October.
Sinner vs Alcaraz: Episode 7 🎬 🍿
Relive the latest edition of @carlosalcaraz vs @janniksin from Beijing! pic.twitter.com/fJ1BVVxAuA
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 4, 2023
The Italian has continued his stunning form into 2024 as he won the Australian Open title to claim his maiden major crown last month, before winning the Rotterdam Open this month. The 22-year-old, who is on a 15-match winning streak, is at a career-high ranking of world No 3.
Speaking on Racquet’s Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, tennis commentator and analyst Stubbs explained why she feels Sinner will have a better career than Alcaraz.
“He (Alcaraz) has done his ankle, they’re all hoping he’s going to be back for his Netflix thing in Vegas, a lot of money on the line. But you know, Jesus man, it (his form) is a worry, it’s a real worry,” the Australian said.
“When you think about if you had to put money on a player doing better in their career over the next decade between Sinner and Alcaraz, I’d put it on Sinner. I think he’s physically better, I think he has more game. I actually think he’s a better all-round player at the moment.
“The biggest issue with Alcaraz is his serve, it doesn’t get him enough free points. Jannik has a huge serve. I think he (Alcaraz) plays a little bit too defensively on certain surfaces.
“I think he’s attackable to a forehand on a fast court, running to his forehand. If you compare Sinner and Alcaraz off their weakness, for me, Jannik has less weaknesses.”
