‘I was world no.5 recently – two stars are better than Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’
A top-10 ranked tennis star has offered his take on the current state of men’s tennis, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz highlighted as talents that may surpass those who came before them
One ATP Tour ace stated that two of his younger peers are greater than Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal(Getty Images)
Taylor Fritz believes that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are already greater than Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal – in some regards at least.
Italian prodigy Sinner, 23, alongside his Spanish rival Alcaraz, 21, have come into their own this year, winning every Grand Slam on offer between them. Their encounters on the court are nothing short of electrifying, with both players showcasing a level of skill that seems that touch above their ATP Tour competitors.
Even a seasoned champion like 37-year-old Djokovic finds it tough to keep up, despite occasionally summoning his near-mechanical best to challenge the dynamic duo.
World no.6 Fritz, who has only managed one win against the pair – a triumph over Sinner at Indian Wells in 2021 – felt the sting of defeat to the Italian in last month’s US Open final. Reflecting on the rise of these formidable talents, he didn’t hold back in his praise suggesting they might just be superior to Djokovic and the soon-to-retire Nadal.
Discussing his experiences playing against the tour’s leading lights, American Fritz delved into what sets them apart when speaking to Tennis Channel.
“They [Sinner and Alcaraz] just play these lateral baseline points like… I mean these crazy points that you see like Nadal, Fed… mostly you see like Nadal and Novak have these long points corner to corner,” Fritz explained. “But, like when Sinner and Alcaraz do it I swear they’re the same but hitting the ball 10pmh faster. It’s crazy.”
Sinner and Alcaraz supposedly best their legendary counterparts in some areas((Image: Getty))
The American heaped praise on the duo not only for their formidable attack, but a stoney defence, revealing just how difficult it is to break them down on any surface, reports the Express.
“I mean, one other thing both of those guys do really well is just they… I mean their defence is incredible,” said Fritz. “I think more so though, their defence is amazing – but they don’t really play that much defence
