Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have pulled forward within the rankings, however the Spaniard’s ex-coach believes they are often troubled.
Carlos Alcaraz’s ex-coach believes a number of gamers can bother him and Jannik Sinner (Picture: Getty)
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have set themselves aside, widening the hole with the remainder of the sector. They’ve now shared the final 9 Grand Slam titles, and sit 1000’s of factors away from their rivals on the high of the rankings, at Nos. 1 and a couple of respectively. And this clay season, they’ll be in a tug-of-war for the highest spot.
Nonetheless, former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, who spent seven years teaching Alcaraz earlier than they cut up in December, believes Alcaraz and Sinner aren’t as far forward of their rivals as it could appear. Ferrero guided Alcaraz to 6 of his seven Grand Slam titles, and was in his nook when the Spaniard turned the youngest world No. 1 in ATP historical past in 2021, however says there’s not an enormous distinction between the highest two and the remainder of the pack.
“I’d say there is a slight distinction, however not that a lot. In the long run, [Alexander] Zverev has proven he’s shut; maybe an impressed [Taylor] Fritz; [Novak] Djokovic is at all times a drive to be reckoned with,” Ferrero informed Marca, naming those that might trouble the multi-Grand Slam champions.
“They’re gamers who may give Carlos and Jannik bother. It’s true that in the event that they’re each at their greatest, they’re superior to the remainder, however there are rivals who can significantly problem them.”
Nonetheless, Ferrero was shocked to see 2024 and 2025 Australian Open champion Sinner endure a five-set defeat to Djokovic within the semi-finals in Melbourne earlier this 12 months. He added: “I used to be stunned that he misplaced to Novak. Particularly as a result of he had crushed him fairly clearly in the previous few matches.
“I’m somewhat anxious about his bodily situation as a result of he already had issues at the start of the match. It’s additionally true that Novak is Novak, and when he’s enjoying at 100 per cent, he’s at all times very tough to beat. However I would not say that Sinner upset me by dropping to Novak as a result of the identical factor occurred to Carlos final 12 months.”
Juan Carlos Ferrero spent seven years teaching Carlos Alcaraz (Picture: Getty)
Sinner bounced again to finish the Sunshine Double, profitable Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back. He additionally turned the primary man to do the double with out dropping a set. Alcaraz, in the meantime, gained the Australian Open and the ATP 500 occasion in Doha, however misplaced within the Indian Wells semi-finals and was shocked within the third spherical of the Miami Open.
Whereas Ferrero believes the likes of Djokovic and Zverev are proper there to hassle ‘Sincaraz’, not everybody agrees. Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, Toni, not too long ago claimed no one might problem them.
“Right this moment, I don’t see a [Joao] Fonseca or a [Jakub] Mensik in a position to compete with Carlos in a 12 months or two. It’s potential a participant emerges quickly, however at this time, I do know no 17, 18, or 19 12 months outdated who hints at a future as world No. 1,” Toni informed Radio Estadio Noche earlier this 12 months.
“In fact, in the end, Carlos battles Sinner, who may be very sturdy. With Zverev, we’ll see how he responds after the Australian Open. Then there are the others who must be contending however have light: [Andrey] Rublev, [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, [Daniil] Medvedev.”
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