Jannik Sinner has claimed his third Grand Slam title, solidifying his dominance on hard courts. On Sunday, the World No.1 defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena, continuing his impressive run from last season into 2025. However, not everyone is ready to declare him the undisputed best.
Patrick Mouratoglou, a renowned coach who has worked with Serena Williams and currently trains Naomi Osaka, believes Sinner has a strong rival who could challenge his reign. In a recent video, he argued that Carlos Alcaraz is still on Sinner’s level, making their rivalry one of the most compelling in tennis today.
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“I don’t think he’s above Carlos (Alcaraz). When Carlos plays at his best, it’s a real match, and nobody can confidently predict the winner,” Mouratoglou said. He noted that their past encounters have been extremely competitive, with Alcaraz winning key battles. According to him, Sinner appears more dominant because Alcaraz takes more risks in his game, leading to more unforced errors. In contrast, the Italian plays at an incredibly high pace without missing, making him a consistent force.
Mouratoglou also highlighted their distinct playing styles. Alcaraz has explosive power and the ability to change pace unpredictably, whereas Sinner maintains a relentless, high-speed rhythm throughout matches. This difference in approach often makes Alcaraz look less dominant against the field, but he still has the talent to match Sinner when they face off.
Looking at their head-to-head record, Alcaraz currently leads 6-4 and has won their last three meetings, including crucial victories at the Indian Wells Masters, Roland Garros, and the China Open last year. In Beijing, after losing to Alcaraz, Sinner himself admitted that their rivalry pushes him to improve. “He is the one who brings the firepower, the hot shots, he involves the crowd. I am more like the solid player, quite calm—it’s like fire and ice,” Sinner said.
Despite Sinner’s recent dominance, Alcaraz has had some setbacks, including a disappointing end to the ATP Finals in November and an Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Novak Djokovic. However, his talent remains undeniable, and if he regains his top form, their rivalry could define the 2025 season.
With Sinner riding a wave of success and Alcaraz looking to bounce back, the battle for supremacy is far from settled. Will Sinner continue his reign, or will Alcaraz reclaim the upper hand? The season ahead promises an exciting showdown between these two rising stars.