This year’s Australian Open highlighted the strength in depth at the top of the ATP Tour, with the top six seeds making the quarter-finals of the event.
Both men’s semi-final matches went the distance, with Novak Djokovic stunning Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz surviving a thriller against Alexander Zverev.
The quality of the men’s game has reached a new era for the first time since the height of Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal.
With plenty of players to pick from, John McEnroe has named the player he considers to be his favourite.
John McEnroe picks Carlos Alcaraz as his ‘favourite’ player
McEnroe heaped praise on new generation of tennis stars in a new interview with El Pais, with particular emphasis on Sinner and Alcaraz.
“Honestly, I think both Sinner and Alcaraz have evolved very quickly in all aspects of the game. We see how in major tournaments they are able to apply important technical variations in their style, and that directly affects the results.
“Both maintain their essence and their brave spirit, but they also know how to adapt mentally and technically to situations, competing in a very intelligent way.
What would have happened if Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played at the same time as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
“They represent today’s tennis: a new generation that combines emotion and technical excellence. In my era, all of this was unthinkable… We are very fortunate to enjoy both. I cannot choose.
“I think when they are at their best, both are almost unstoppable for anyone. It’s like comparing the best versions of Pete Sampras, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andre Agassi… or even myself.
“All I can do is enjoy and get excited when I watch them compete, especially in big tournaments like this. I have great respect for both. Darren Cahill [Sinner’s coach] and his team have done a fantastic job, and both are surrounded by very solid coaching teams.”
However, McEnroe was quick to name Alcaraz above Sinner in his pecking order.
“Anyone who has listened to me comment on matches knows that Carlos is probably my favourite player; what he is capable of on a tennis court is insane, and he isn’t even a particularly tall player; maybe half a centimetre taller than me.”
Alcaraz has just completed the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, which has seen him accomplish this feat before Sinner.
How Carlos Alcaraz matches up to Jannik Sinner
Sinner and Alcaraz are far and away the best two players on the ATP Tour, despite Djokovic’s heroics at the Australian Open.
The pair have shared the last nine Grand Slams; a continuing trend after Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in Melbourne.
| Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | |
| Grand Slam titles | 7 | 4 |
| ATP titles | 18 | 20 |
| Weeks as world number one | 55 | 66 |
Alcaraz has won more Grand Slams than Sinner, with seven to four, but the Italian has won more ATP competitions.
Sinner, meanwhile, has spent more time as the world number one, with 66 weeks at the top of the ATP Tour summit.
It will be fascinating to see how these stats play out as we get deeper and deeper into the two icons’ careers.
