Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s rivalry will continue to blossom when they meet in a third consecutive Grand Slam final on Sunday.
Sinner and Alcaraz have long separated themselves from the chasing pack; so much so that even Novak Djokovic is struggling to keep up.
The Italian and Spaniard are set to meet in the US Open final on Sunday, following their contest in the French Open and Wimbledon finals.
The pair have cemented themselves as the heirs to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, and look set to dominate men’s tennis for the next decade.
Around three-and-a-half years ago, neither Alcaraz nor Sinner had broken through at the highest level. Neither had won a Grand Slam title, and Novak Djokovic was still dominating the sport.
However, there were clear warning signs regarding the future success of Carlos Alcaraz in particular; the Spaniard was just a few months away from capturing his first Grand Slam title at the US Open.
Martina Navratilova said Carlos Alcaraz has more power than anyone she’s seen before
In May 2022, Carlos Alcaraz had yet to announce himself to the tennis world.
Ahead of his US Open triumph in 2022, the Spaniard lost in the French Open quarter-finals and Wimbledon fourth round.
However, his young age, combined with his evident maturity on the court, had put many on notice; including 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova.
During Alcaraz’s 2022 Madrid Open campaign – a tournament where he defeated Rafael Nadal – Navratilova expressed her admiration for the youngster’s game.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Heraldo in May 2022, Navratilova said: “He’s [Alcaraz] still growing up, and he has a great coach. He doesn’t just have a good forehand, it’s his whole game. His backhand is very good.
“With his forehand and the speed with which he hits the ball, even when he is not in a good position, he can make you a winner.
“He has way more power than anyone I’ve ever seen. I think he could be the next Djokovic, but with more power. It’s a pretty scary thought [laughs].”
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s Grand Slam dominance continues
Can anyone challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the near future?
The winner of Sunday’s final will mark the eighth straight Grand Slam in which either the Spaniard or the Italian has won.
Their level of play has been astounding over that period, and they are quickly showing the same consistency that became such a key feature of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s successes.
As for who will win the US Open final, there is little to split the pair.
Sinner’s recent success at Wimbledon will give him hope. However, an unconvincing performance against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-final, combined with Alcaraz’s strong form throughout the tournament, may give the Spaniard the edge.
