Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Compared to Federer and Nadal
Tennis stars urged to develop their aura to match legends
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been hailed as future ATP Tour dominators, but tennis veteran Richard Gasquet believes they still have a long way to go before replicating the aura of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Path to Tennis Greatness
The young stars have claimed each of the last five men’s Grand Slam titles and will look to extend that streak at the 2025 French Open. However, Gasquet, who will retire after Roland Garros, emphasized that sustained dominance is key to building a lasting legacy.
“Alcaraz has something special, but his aura is not yet at Federer’s level. That comes with age and success,” Gasquet said on the UTS Tour YouTube channel. “Federer and Nadal are global sports icons. Tennis alone isn’t enough—it’s about personality, style, and what you project.”
Comparisons to the ‘Big Three’
Adrian Mannarino and David Goffin echoed Gasquet’s sentiments, highlighting how Novak Djokovic also possessed early signs of greatness. Mannarino predicted that in four to five years, players will fear drawing Sinner in Grand Slams, while Goffin emphasized consistency: “Nadal and Federer rarely had slumps, which helped build their aura.”
While Federer retired in 2022 and Nadal followed suit in 2024, Alcaraz and Sinner are forging their own legacies. Alcaraz, 21, won his first French Open title last year, while Sinner, 23, aims to go beyond his 2024 semi-final finish when the tournament begins on May 25.
Looking Ahead
As Alcaraz and Sinner continue to rise, the tennis world will watch closely to see if they can reach the legendary status of Federer and Nadal—something that, as Gasquet points out, takes time, dominance, and an undeniable presence both on and off the court.
