Jannik Sinner’s Game Often Overlooked Compared to Carlos Alcaraz

The Rise of Jannik Sinner in 2024

The men’s tennis landscape appears to be set for the next decade. 2024 marked the pinnacle of Jannik Sinner’s career, with two Grand Slam titles and three Masters 1000 victories. Having improved significantly since late 2023, Sinner dominated this season, recording only six losses and establishing a substantial lead over competitors, including his rival Carlos Alcaraz. Meanwhile, Alcaraz secured titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, keeping their rivalry engaging for fans worldwide.

The Rivalry Between Sinner and Alcaraz

Fans see echoes of the Big 3 (Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic) in Sinner and Alcaraz, who have already met eleven times on the pro circuit. Their contrasting playing styles contribute to memorable matches, and their mutual respect enhances this dynamic. After their recent Beijing final, where both played at the top of their game, they even traveled together to Shanghai—a testament to their camaraderie off the court.

Kafelnikov’s Critique of Sinner’s Playing Style

Despite Sinner’s success, some former players and professionals seem to favor Alcaraz’s style. Yevgeny Kafelnikov, a former world number one, recently criticized Sinner, describing his game as “stupidly designed to hit,” comparing him to Tomas Johansson and Dominic Hrbaty. In his view, Alcaraz has a more versatile approach, likening him to the Big 3. Kafelnikov sees Alcaraz’s potential as equal to that of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, unlike Sinner, whom he describes as “unidimensional.”

Jannik Sinner Prepares for Paris-Bercy

Sinner’s mental strength has driven him through external pressures to an extraordinary 2024. As he heads to Paris-Bercy, he acknowledges the challenges ahead: “Playing on this surface against players with strong serves is always complicated.” His first opponent will be either Ben Shelton or Felix Auger-Aliassime, both formidable competitors. Reflecting on the season, he shared, “It was a long year… I feel we made good choices. My condition is good at the moment.”

Sinner is ready for one last push to finish an incredible year strong.