In the ever-evolving landscape of men’s tennis, where young stars are rewriting the script once dominated by the Big Three, Jannik Sinner has emerged as a beacon of consistency, earning high praise from tennis legend Chris Evert. As the 2025 French Open unfolds, Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, has singled out the 24-year-old Italian for his metronomic precision, contrasting his game with the electrifying but less predictable style of Carlos Alcaraz. “He does everything so well,” Evert said of Sinner, highlighting his ability to maintain a high level across all facets of his game, a quality she believes sets him apart from his Spanish rival. With both players vying for supremacy in a post-Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic era, Evert’s analysis underscores why Sinner is currently outpacing Alcaraz in the race for consistency.
Sinner’s 2025 season has been a masterclass in reliability. The world No. 1, who claimed the Australian Open and US Open titles in 2024, has continued his dominance, reaching the French Open quarter-finals with a commanding 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(3) win over Corentin Moutet. His 33-3 record this year, including ATP 1000 titles in Miami and Shanghai, showcases a player at the peak of his powers. Evert, speaking during a Eurosport broadcast, marveled at Sinner’s all-court game: “He doesn’t have a weakness in his game at all. He’s got a great serve, moves well, great forehand, great backhand, and he’s got a great tennis IQ.” This completeness, she argued, gives Sinner an edge over Alcaraz, whose flair, while dazzling, can sometimes lead to inconsistency.
Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spaniard with four Grand Slam titles, including the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon, is a force of nature on the court. His explosive athleticism and shot-making creativity have drawn comparisons to Rafael Nadal, but Evert noted a key difference. “Alcaraz has more peaks and valleys,” she observed, pointing to his tendency to oscillate between brilliance and lapses. Alcaraz’s 2025 campaign, while impressive with a 28-5 record and titles in Beijing and the Laver Cup, has been marred by occasional upsets, such as his early exit to Alexander Bublik in Madrid. His 6-1, 7-6(5), 6-3 French Open win over Jack Draper showed his potential, but a tight 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 loss to Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final highlighted the Italian’s steadier hand.
Sinner’s mental fortitude, forged through a challenging 2024 off-court doping saga, has been a cornerstone of his success. Cleared of wrongdoing after testing positive for clostebol, he channeled adversity into focus, winning 70 of 77 matches last year. “He’s got that mentality where he doesn’t get rattled,” Evert said, contrasting Sinner’s calm with Alcaraz’s emotional intensity. Sinner’s ability to stay composed under pressure was evident in his French Open performance, where he converted 4 of 7 break points against Moutet and served at 67% first-serve accuracy. His 74% win rate on clay this season, second only to his hard-court dominance, underscores his adaptability across surfaces.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, thrives on instinct, often producing shots that defy logic. His 2024 Roland Garros triumph, where he outlasted Alexander Zverev in a five-set final, cemented his clay-court credentials. Yet, his high-risk style can lead to errors—33 unforced errors in the Shanghai loss to Sinner compared to the Italian’s 19. “Carlos is spectacular, but sometimes that spectacular play comes with more mistakes,” Evert noted. Alcaraz’s 2025 goal to reclaim the No. 1 ranking hinges on tightening his game, especially as he prepares to face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open’s next round.
The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz, now at 6-4 in Sinner’s favor after 10 meetings, is shaping the future of tennis. Their contrasting styles—Sinner’s relentless precision versus Alcaraz’s audacious flair—make for compelling matchups. “I’m excited to see where this rivalry goes,” Evert said, echoing fans’ anticipation. Sinner’s current lead in the ATP Race to Turin, with 6500 points to Alcaraz’s 4850, reflects his consistency, but Alcaraz’s youth and hunger keep him in the hunt. As both players eye the French Open title and beyond, Sinner’s ability to “do everything so well” may give him the edge, but Alcaraz’s unpredictable brilliance ensures this battle will captivate tennis fans for years to come.
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