Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have continued to dominate tennis into the 2026 season.
Alcaraz began the year by winning the Australian Open and the Qatar Open, while Sinner produced a magnificent comeback by earning the Sunshine Double and the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Sinner looks to have taken a lead over Alcaraz on the clay court swing, particularly with the Spaniard’s latest injury at the Barcelona Open.
While the pair continue to break new ground on the ATP Tour, Boris Becker has suggested Alcaraz and Sinner’s rivalry is like one of his own.
Boris Becker compares Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s rivalry to one of his own
Becker’s time on the ATP Tour saw him come face-to-face with many major stars, but he’s arguably most remembered for his clashes with Ivan Lendl.
Becker sees similarities between his Lendl’s rivalry to the current battles between Sinner and Alcaraz.
Speaking to Firstpost, Becker said: “Sinner and Alcaraz are like ice and fire, like the relationship between Lendl and me.”
Becker and Lendl offered up two very different styles of tennis as they battled for Grand Slams in the 1980s and 1990s.
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Lendl was cool and calculated, like Sinner, while Becker tended to be a more emotional character, much like Alcaraz.
Becker continued: “I find Alcaraz a fascinating player. He’s exactly what tennis needs. He’s charismatic, a joy to watch, a true artist of the game. I don’t see any weaknesses in him.
“But artists need a source of inspiration, and I think Sinner is his. Because if the matches become too easy for him, I’m afraid he’ll start to get bored. But he’s only 22, and the sky’s the limit.”
Lendl ended his career with eight Grand Slams, while Becker managed to win six majors throughout his career.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s head-to-head record
Despite losing his last two matches to Sinner, Alcaraz still leads in their head-to-head record on the ATP Tour.
Alcaraz has won 10 of his 17 matches against Sinner, dating back to their very first meeting at the Paris Masters in 2021.
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The Spaniard’s victories have seen him knock Sinner out of four Grand Slams, at Roland Garros and the US Open twice apiece.
Sinner’s seven victories, meanwhile, have seen four final victories, including last year’s wins at the ATP Finals and Wimbledon.
Each of their last eight meets have come in finals, with Alcaraz holding a narrow lead with five victories.
