Tennis legend Mats Wilander has weighed in on the “Sinner-Alcaraz era,” offering his unique perspective on who serves as a better role model between the two young stars.
Wilander’s Verdict: Dedication vs. Talent
According to Mats Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam champion from the 1980s, Jannik Sinner is poised to become a significant role model. Wilander suggests that while not everyone can play like Carlos Alcaraz, whose style demands “extremely rare talent,” Sinner’s game is more accessible.
“Everyone can try to play like Sinner, which doesn’t require exceptional talent in itself, but total dedication,” Wilander told L’Equipe. This highlights Sinner’s journey as one driven by hard work and commitment, a path many aspiring players can emulate.
Sinner’s Aggressive and Forward-Thinking Style
Wilander was particularly impressed by Sinner’s aggressive approach on court. He noted that Sinner isn’t just hitting wildly, but is constantly looking to take the ball early in the rally.
“I’ve never seen anyone play tennis as aggressively as Sinner,” Wilander stated. He added that while others might hit harder, no one consistently gets to the ball as quickly to play it on the rise, never waiting for it to drop.
A Game Ahead of Its Time
The Swedish legend believes Sinner’s playing style is remarkably advanced for the current era. He compared it to the evolution of football, where quick one-touch passes revolutionized the game’s speed.
Wilander thinks Sinner’s tennis is “five or ten years ahead of what I imagined the evolution of the game would be.” He also pointed out Sinner’s significant improvement over the last two years compared to Alcaraz, suggesting it leaves Alcaraz more room for future growth.
The Evolving Rivalry on Court
The burgeoning rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has already produced thrilling matches. Wilander even suggested Sinner should have won at Roland Garros recently, indicating he felt Sinner was the superior player in that match, despite Alcaraz ultimately prevailing.
The dynamic between the two continues to shift. Alcaraz had previously won Wimbledon for two consecutive years. However, Sinner avenged his French Open loss by defeating Alcaraz in a memorable four-set match to claim his first Wimbledon title, further fueling their captivating rivalry.
- Wilander sees Jannik Sinner as a role model due to his dedication.
- He describes Sinner’s aggressive style as taking the ball extremely early.
- Wilander believes Sinner’s game is 5-10 years ahead of its time.
- The Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry is marked by close, high-stakes matches.
As these two young titans continue to dominate men’s tennis, their contrasting paths and styles promise an exciting future for the sport.
