In the ever-evolving landscape of men’s tennis, the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has captivated fans, with the two young stars dominating the sport’s biggest stages. As the Big 3 era fades, with only Novak Djokovic still vying for major titles, Alcaraz and Sinner have emerged as the torchbearers of the next generation, collectively winning all seven Grand Slams contested in 2024 and 2025. Yet, Dutch tennis pro Tallon Griekspoor, ranked No. 29 in the world, has sparked a lively debate by sharing his preference for Alcaraz over Sinner, citing the Spaniard’s all-court mastery as the key differentiator. In a recent episode of *The Changeover* podcast, Griekspoor offered a candid and technical breakdown of why facing Alcaraz feels like a tougher challenge than taking on the world No. 1 Sinner, despite the Italian’s recent Wimbledon triumph.
Griekspoor, who has faced Sinner six times and Alcaraz five—losing all encounters—knows the sting of both players’ games intimately. “I feel like with Sinner you know what’s coming. Like he does it unbelievably well, like he’s the best player in the world,” Griekspoor said, acknowledging Sinner’s unparalleled precision and consistency. Sinner’s game, characterized by powerful baseline rallies and a relentless rhythm, has propelled him to the top of the ATP rankings and a maiden Wimbledon title in 2025, where he defeated Alcaraz in a gripping 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 final. Yet, Griekspoor argues that Sinner’s predictability, while executed at an elite level, contrasts with Alcaraz’s multifaceted arsenal. “I just think that Alcaraz has more options. He’s more complete than Sinner is,” he explained, pointing to the Spaniard’s ability to adapt and surprise opponents with a broader range of shots.
Alcaraz, the 22-year-old from Murcia, Spain, boasts five Grand Slam titles, including the 2025 French Open, where he staged a dramatic comeback from two sets down against Sinner. His game is a blend of explosive power, lightning speed, and creative flair, with tools like the drop shot, backhand slice, and deft net play that Griekspoor finds particularly daunting. “He doesn’t have the net skills and the net game that Alcaraz has. He doesn’t have the drop shot. He doesn’t have the backhand slice,” Griekspoor noted, highlighting Sinner’s relative limitations in these areas. Alcaraz’s versatility was evident in his 2023 Indian Wells triumph, where he became the second-fastest player to reach 100 career wins, defeating Griekspoor en route to the title without dropping a set. “He has basically the whole package. I don’t know what he doesn’t have,” Griekspoor said of Alcaraz in 2023, a sentiment that still resonates.
Griekspoor’s analysis is rooted in his on-court experiences. Against Sinner, he has managed to win three sets across their six matches, including competitive battles in Miami and Halle in 2024. However, against Alcaraz, Griekspoor has yet to claim a single set, often pushed to tiebreaks but unable to break through. “Personally, I’ve always had more chances against Jannik than against Carlos,” he admitted, suggesting that Alcaraz’s unpredictability makes him a tougher matchup. Griekspoor believes Alcaraz’s occasional inconsistency—perhaps due to not always choosing the “right options at the right moment”—is outweighed by his ability to elevate his game when in trouble. “When he’s in difficulty, I think Alcaraz can do much better,” he concluded, suggesting the Spaniard’s ceiling is higher.
The Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry, dubbed “Sincaraz” by fans, has produced 13 ATP-level clashes since 2021, with Alcaraz leading 8-5, including a 3-2 edge in Grand Slam matches. Their 2025 French Open final, a five-hour, 29-minute epic, and the 2022 US Open quarterfinal, which ended at 2:50 a.m., are already considered classics. Sinner’s grass-court prowess gave him the edge at Wimbledon 2025, but Alcaraz’s ability to adapt across surfaces—hard, clay, and grass—gives him a slight edge in Griekspoor’s eyes. “Whatever Sinner does, he’s the best in the world in doing that,” Griekspoor said, but Alcaraz’s “incredible shots” and all-court dominance make him the more complete player.
As the tennis world looks ahead to the North American hard-court swing, including the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Masters, Griekspoor’s insights add fuel to the debate over who will define the post-Big 3 era. Alcaraz’s 21 ATP titles and 80.04% win percentage edge out Sinner’s 20 titles and 77.30% win rate, but Sinner’s consistency as world No. 1 since June 2024 keeps him in the conversation. For Griekspoor, the choice is clear: Alcaraz’s dynamic, unpredictable style makes him the player to beat, even as Sinner’s metronomic brilliance continues to set the standard.
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