“Players fear Jannik Sinner more than they fear Carlos Alcaraz” – Serena Williams’ ex-coach makes bold claim with Rafael Nadal analogy
Serena Williams’ Ex-Coach Claims Players Fear Jannik Sinner More Than Carlos Alcaraz, Drawing Rafael Nadal Parallel
Patrick Mouratoglou, former coach of Serena Williams, sparked debate with a bold claim that players fear Jannik Sinner more than Carlos Alcaraz, likening Sinner’s relentless style to Rafael Nadal’s dominance at Roland Garros. In an interview with Sportskeeda on June 4, 2025, Mouratoglou argued that Sinner’s “computer-like” consistency and ferocity make him a more intimidating opponent, as players feel they have “nothing they can use” against him. He contrasted this with Alcaraz, noting that the Spaniard’s occasional mental lapses and losses to lower-ranked players give opponents hope, unlike Sinner, who rarely falters except against Alcaraz himself.
Mouratoglou highlighted Sinner’s 2025 Australian Open title defense and his 18-match Grand Slam win streak, emphasizing his machine-like precision. “Players fear Sinner more because they’ve seen Alcaraz sometimes mentally not there,” he said, drawing a parallel to Nadal’s aura at Roland Garros, where even legends like Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer showed signs of doubt before matches. Sinner’s 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 demolition of Jiri Lehecka at the 2025 French Open underscored this, with Mats Wilander noting Sinner’s ball-striking as unmatched in tennis history.
However, Alcaraz holds a 7-4 head-to-head edge over Sinner, including a 7-6(5), 6-1 victory in the 2025 Italian Open final and a five-set thriller in the 2024 French Open semi-final. Alcaraz dismissed Mouratoglou’s claim, saying, “Jannik has proven to be the best… I don’t agree with what Patrick Mouratoglou said,” citing Sinner’s low loss count (four or five matches in 2024). Despite this, Mouratoglou insisted both players are above the rest, but Sinner’s consistency creates a unique fear factor.
The Nadal analogy underscores Sinner’s growing reputation as a relentless force, particularly on hard courts, where he’s won three of his four Grand Slams. As Alcaraz prepares to defend his French Open title against Lorenzo Musetti in the 2025 semi-finals, the debate over who instills more fear continues to fuel their electrifying rivalry.
