Sinner vs Alcaraz: Brewing new rivalry as Big Three fade away

As the Big Three all but fade away, the rise of Alcaraz and Sinner gives men’s tennis a new rivalry and a fresh context, writes Madhu Jawali.

Bengaluru: Roger Federer enjoyed an incredible 21-3 head-to-head record against Andy Roddick by the time the American ended his professional career. It seems ludicrous now to know that their matchup was once billed as one of tennis’ fiercest rivalries. Even Roddick, who should have won more than the one Grand Slam he did, acknowledged this glaring imbalance in an interview. “I need to win some to call this a rivalry,” he remarked in his usual sharp wit. 

That said, rivalries in the world of sports -- be it individual or team -- are essential. They ignite passion among fans divided along loyalty lines, create unforgettable moments and attract even neutrals. Tennis, particularly men’s, has been fortunate to have some great rivalries from time to time and blessed to have not just rivalry between two players but a golden triangle of greatness for the better part of last one and half decades. Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic -- with 66 Grand Slams between them -- transformed the game like never before. Their distinct styles of play, contrasting yet compelling personalities and above all, their iconic clashes, elevated tennis to a new stratosphere. 

Their dominance for close to two decades -- briefly punctuated by the likes of Andy Murray -- was truly the golden age in tennis. But as with all great things, the era has all but wound down. Federer hung his racquet first, Nadal followed suit last year and Djokovic is struggling to keep pace in his advanced age. His mind may be willing, but his body, as well nurtured as it is for a 38-year-old, is no longer in sync with his seemingly insatiable hunger. Perhaps for the first time in his career, the Serbian ace admitted to this reality after being humbled in the Wimbledon semifinals.  

“It’s just age, the wear and tear of the body,” Djokovic said. “As much as I’m taking care of it, the reality hits me right now, last year and a half, like never before, to be honest. It’s tough for me to accept that because I feel like when I’m fresh, when I’m fit, I can still play really good tennis. I’ve proven that this year. But I guess playing best-of-five, particularly this year, has been a real struggle for me physically. The longer the tournament goes the worse the condition gets. I reach the final stages, I reached the semis of every Slam this year, but I have to play Sinner or Alcaraz. These guys are fit, young, sharp. I feel like I’m going into the match with the tank half empty. It’s just not possible to win a match like that,” he summed up.

With Djokovic confronting the twilight of his career, the obvious question on tennis fans’ minds would have been who after the Big Three? Will the men’s game continue to be as enthralling and engaging? Will the next generation compel fans to invest in it as emotionally? 

This year’s Wimbledon couldn’t have answered this lingering question in a more emphatic manner. Why this Wimbledon, you may ask. After all Jannik Sinner, who dethroned Carlos Alcaraz for his maiden grass slam, already had three majors (two in Australian Open and one US Open) and should have had the French Open but for a fourth-set implosion against Alcaraz. But, for all his all-court game, Sinner appeared to have a mental block that had seen him lose five matches in a row against the Spaniard, including the five-set classic at Roland Garros. The Italian’s victory at Wimbledon, as convincing as it could get, reassures the fact that this rivalry wouldn’t follow the one-sided path of Roddick-Federer.  

Sinner, having endured a tough time that included a two-month suspension for substance abuse, needed this win for two reasons. First to ensure the doping taint doesn’t become an albatross around his neck and to assure himself that he can beat Alcaraz before the Spaniard became a bee in his bonnet.    

“It is important, for sure,” said the World No. 1, reflecting on his 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Alcaraz. “Because when you lose several times against someone, it’s not easy.

“I keep looking up to Carlos, because even today, I felt like he was doing a couple of things better than I did,” Sinner said. “So that’s something ... we will work on and prepare ourselves, because he’s going to come for us again.”

The feeling is mutual, and Alcaraz knows he can’t take his eyes off his rival even for a moment. Both players know if you give the other an inch, he is going to secure your entire part of the court. Alcaraz showed it in the French Open final in a comeback for the ages. Sinner, after losing the first set in the Wimbledon finale, asserted it even more ruthlessly.     

“I’m just really, really happy about having this rivalry with him,” Alcaraz said. “It’s great for us, and it is great for tennis. Every time we play against each other, our level is really high.

“We don’t (see) a level like this, if I’m honest with you. I don’t see any (other players) playing against each other (and) having the level that we are playing when we face each other.”

Tennis fans are in for exciting times as two diametrically opposite characters with equally different styles of play add intrigue to their budding rivalry. Sinner, cool and calculated, and Alcaraz, flamboyant and fearless, will be the main protagonists for many years to come as men’s tennis takes shape around the two. The proof is in the pudding. Sinner and Alcaraz have nine of the last 12 majors and the last seven in a row. And it’s scary to think that they are only 23 and 22!      

Carlos Alcaraz 

Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz 

Carlos Alcaraz 

Carlos Alcaraz