With the impending retirement of Rafael Nadal after the Davis Cup finals in November, Novak Djokovic will stand alone as the last remaining member of the legendary “Big Three.” Djokovic is also one of the few players left from his generation, with Roger Federer and Andy Murray having already bid farewell to the sport.
In the absence of Nadal and Djokovic’s dominance, the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has emerged as the most captivating storyline of the year. The pair have clashed 10 times since 2021, with Alcaraz holding a 6-4 advantage. Their encounters have been marked by high-stakes matches, including the 2024 French Open semifinal, which Alcaraz won in a thrilling five-set battle.
Despite his victory in the Six Kings Slam final in Riyadh, Sinner acknowledges Alcaraz’s superiority. “Tennis-wise at the moment, he has something more,” Sinner said in an interview with La Stampa. “He plays the slice better, the volleys. But for me, it’s a positive fact: it means I have margins.”
Sinner’s humility and determination are evident in his approach to the game. “Success hasn’t changed me,” he said. “I don’t walk with my head held high if I win, I don’t get depressed if I lose. I don’t like being in the spotlight. I take care of who is with me close, to the family, the rest doesn’t matter to me.”
In 2024, with Nadal sidelined and Djokovic struggling, Alcaraz and Sinner shared the Grand Slam spoils. Sinner triumphed at the Australian Open and US Open, while Alcaraz claimed the French Open and Wimbledon. The rivalry between these two young stars promises to captivate tennis fans for years to come.
