John McEnroe has expressed that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz would be the favorites to defeat Rafael Nadal if he were at his peak, as the two face off in the 2025 Roland Garros final. This highly anticipated match marks a pivotal moment at the French Open, highlighting a changing of the guard in professional tennis.
McEnroe Highlights Sinner and Alcaraz’s Potential Against Nadal
At Roland Garros, Nadal bid an emotional farewell after dominating the tournament for almost 20 years and securing 14 titles. On the final day, the spotlight turned to Sinner and Alcaraz as they met in their first Grand Slam final against each other. Ahead of the match, McEnroe made a surprising statement comparing the two young players to Nadal at his best.
“You would make a serious argument with both guys that they would be favored to beat Nadal, at his best. Do I think they’re gonna reach 20, 24 [titles], either one of them? No, because that plateau is so hard. But these two guys right now, it’s like when you watch the NBA and you say nobody could be better than Michael Jordan.” —John McEnroe, TNT Sports
McEnroe’s comments emphasize the exceptional talent possessed by both Sinner and Alcaraz, despite Nadal’s remarkable achievements. While McEnroe doubts either player will reach Nadal’s historic title count, he suggests that currently, both are strong contenders to overcome him in peak form.
Head-to-Head Records and Current Form of Finalists
Jannik Sinner has faced Nadal three times, twice at the French Open, coming up short in all those battles. Carlos Alcaraz has never faced Nadal at Roland Garros but has a balanced rivalry with Sinner, with both players having won one clay-court match each in their three clashes. Neither has lost a Grand Slam final before this upcoming showdown.
Alcaraz enters the final as the defending Roland Garros champion, having secured his 2024 title by overcoming Alexander Zverev in a five-set thriller. Importantly, he also eliminated Sinner in the semifinals of last year’s tournament in another tight five-set match. The Spaniard holds a 7-4 lead in head-to-head meetings with the Italian and has won their four most recent encounters, including the Italian Open final prior to Roland Garros.
In contrast, Sinner has impressed by not dropping a single set throughout the tournament, while Alcaraz has conceded sets in four different matches. This final presents a crucial opportunity for both players either to defend or capture the title, boosting their growing legacies.
Alcaraz and Sinner Chase Career Milestones This Season
Sinner is pursuing his second championship win of the season, having reached the finals in every tournament he has competed in so far. Alcaraz is aiming to claim his fourth overall title of the year, with three on clay following his triumphs in Monte Carlo and Rome. Their ongoing rivalry is shaping up to be a defining feature of men’s tennis in the coming years.
McEnroe Suggests Possible Member to Join a New “Big 3” Generation
With the era of the legendary “Big 3” — Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer — winding down, McEnroe pointed to a potential new trio emerging. He remarked that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are spearheading the current generation. After the semifinals at Roland Garros, Djokovic hinted that his match against Sinner might be his final appearance at this tournament, signaling the end of an era.
“These two kids have grown into incredible tennis players, they’re fine young men and a credit to our game. The third guy, to me, should be either Jack Draper or Ben Shelton. Frances Tiafoe may be a little bit old.” —John McEnroe, TNT Sports
Jack Draper, who made the US Open semifinals last year and won his biggest title so far at Indian Wells, has shown the potential to complete this new elite group. Draper notably defeated Alcaraz en route to the Indian Wells final and reached the Madrid Open final. However, he was eliminated in the fourth round at Roland Garros this year by Alexander Bublik.
Ben Shelton has also made significant strides, reaching the semifinals at both the 2023 US Open and the 2024 Australian Open. McEnroe’s suggestion leaves open the possibility for this emerging nucleus to shape the future of men’s tennis as the veterans retire.
Legacy and Future Implications for Men’s Tennis
This Paris showdown between John McEnroe’s favored contenders, Sinner and Alcaraz, also symbolizes a broader transition. Nadal’s farewell marks the close of an iconic chapter, while these young stars contend to fill the void with new rivalries and milestones. The outcome of the match will underscore who might lead men’s tennis in the coming years and how the generational shift will unfold.
As both players have displayed remarkable consistency and competitiveness, their development will be closely watched. McEnroe’s assessment reinforces the view that either could surpass Nadal’s dominance, albeit without matching his exact trophy haul. Fans and analysts alike are eager to witness how this new era evolves, including whether Draper or Shelton will emerge to complete a new “Big 3.”