Why Jannik Sinner reminds me more of 'Big Three' of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal than Carlos Alcaraz - Mats Wilander
Published 20/05/2025 at 16:21 GMT+1
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Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will head into the 2025 French Open as the top two seeds in the men's draw. TNT Sports expert Mats Wilander has given his verdict on the pair ahead of the Grand Slam, including why Sinner reminds him more of the 'Big Three’ than Alcaraz does, and why Sinner's return to the tour from a doping ban is "important" for Alcaraz.
Highlights: Alcaraz beats Sinner in Italian Open final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mats Wilander has revealed why he believes Jannik Sinner compares more favourably than Carlos Alcaraz to the ‘Big Three’ of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Alcaraz will be seeded second for the upcoming French Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, after beating world No. 1 Sinner in the final of the Italian Open.
It was Alcaraz’s fourth win in a row against Sinner as he claimed his second Masters title of the clay swing.
It was also Sinner’s first straight-sets loss in 95 matches, which TNT Sports expert Wilander thinks says a lot about his level.
Wilander said: "That's an unbelievable record. And it tells you that Jannik Sinner going to stay No. 1 for the next three, four, five, six years because he is so consistent, because mentally he's there on every single point.
"He reminds me more of the ‘Big Three’ than Carlos Alcaraz does because of his mindset.
"So the big question is whether Carlos Alcaraz is going to return to No. 1 in the world ever or within a year, or within two years? Because I think consistency-wise in every tournament, every day, every match, Jannik Sinner is going to be there.
"And when a record is like that, when it stood for two years before he lost in straight sets, that tells the whole story."
Sinner was making his return at the Italian Open following a three-month doping ban.
Alcaraz was full of praise for his opponent after the final, saying he has an "aura" and that he is "more focused" when playing against him.
Wilander thinks the return of Sinner to the tour is "incredibly important" for Alcaraz.
"Carlos Alcaraz needs a challenge," he said. "And I think that, first of all, he's turning 22 years old in a few days, and at this point in his career, he's not like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Novak Djokovic.
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'His level is insane' - Alcaraz praises Sinner after Rome win
Video credit: SNTV
"He's not quite able to play every match like it is the final of Roland-Garros, which the other three were able to, and I think Jannik Sinner is able to do that, but Carlos Alcaraz is not quite there yet.
"But we have got to give him some time. I think as long as we have these matches when it means so much, and in those days, Carlos Alcaraz does show up and he does play his best tennis, I don't think we have to be worried.
"But should we expect him to always be on top? Most probably not. So I think the return of Sinner is incredibly important for Carlos Alcaraz.
"I can't believe how good Jannik Sinner played after taking three months off from playing matches. And I can also believe why he went away in that second set and his level dropped a little bit.
"But to me, it's an unbelievably exciting pre-tournament for Roland-Garros, because what we're hoping for now is a Sinner v Alcaraz final, which would be a match for this generation, maybe the biggest match that we have seen in this generation."
Wilander added that he sees Alcaraz as the favourite heading into the French Open, which starts on May 25, but only just ahead of Sinner
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'A good lesson for Paris' - Sinner reflects on Rome final loss to Alcaraz
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I think best-of-five sets helps Jannik Sinner," he said. "I think the French crowd is obviously not going to all be for Sinner. In fact, they are most probably going to be a little bit more for Carlos Alcaraz.
"That's not because he's a nicer guy than Jannik Sinner, because they're two unbelievably great human beings, and of course, they're great players.
"But with the style of Carlos Alcaraz, I think in every stadium in the world, except Foro Italico [in Rome], Carlos Alcaraz is going to be the crowd favorite. And I think that's easier for Jannik Sinner to deal with.
"Plus, if it's five sets, I think that's easier, too, for Jannik Sinner because he can relax a little bit. So it should make it even more even if they play on Philippe Chatrier in about three weeks."
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