John McEnroe has outlined one of his favourite traits about Carlos Alcaraz whilst seeking to differentiate him from Jannik Sinner.
Although many knew beforehand, last week’s blockbuster French Open final has confirmed for everyone else that this duo are the real deal.
The clear successors to the Big Three, some, like Jim Courier, have taken to branding them the New Two, such is their power, prowess and budding rivalry.
Already they have shared the court 12 times, with Sunday marking their first-ever meeting in a Grand Slam final.
It’s fair to say they didn’t disappoint, with Carlos Alcaraz coming from two sets to love down to win the match in a fifth-set tiebreaker.
Now, seeking to review these two following such a legendary clash, McEnroe was glowing in his praise for both.
John McEnroe outlines the differences between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Speaking to Corriere Della Sera, the American was initially more complimentary about the Spaniard, stating: ‘Look, personality, character on court, that’s something that can’t be easily built, it’s innate.
‘Alcaraz exudes charisma, making his matches electrifying. I have to say that Carlos is the most talented young player I have ever seen; he’s simply brilliant. Yet, they both have elements that make them unique.’
This led to him moving over to Jannik Sinner: ‘Jannik is more consistent, and what impresses me most about him is the clarity of his shots and the sound it makes when he hits the ball. I had never heard anything like it.
‘What amazes me about Carlos is his ease in getting out of trouble with dazzling ease. He’s the only player I would pay to see live, the best gift tennis could have received after the Big 3. If you ask me to compare them with music groups, I would say Jannik and Carlos are like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.’
And finally asked if they could possibly emulate the Big Three, McEnroe finished: ’In my wildest dreams, I would never have imagined that Roger, Rafa, and Novak would each win 20 Grand Slams. Now, you ask me if I see Alcaraz and Sinner winning 25… I don’t know, it sounds insane to me, but never say never. In modern tennis, everything is more athletic and brilliant as time goes on. If anyone can do it, it’s these two.’
Carlos Alcaraz looking to repeat his Roland Garros and Wimbledon double
In the history of men’s tennis, very few have ever managed the heralded feat of winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back.
Even fewer have accomplished this in back-to-back years.
But, with just Wimbledon left to win to complete this accomplishment, Alcaraz is on the cusp of once again writing himself into the history books and moving alongside Bjorn Borg as just the second man to have achieved this.
The 22-year-old has won the last two Wimbledon titles and will be a heavy favourite to retain his crown, despite question marks arising over whether Alcaraz will compete at Queen’s this year.
Although, he is to once again be pushed to the brink by Sinner, whose bruising play style could be supremely effective on grass.
The two have never met on this surface, and would surely play out another extraordinary final should they both reach it this summer.
