Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been making waves on the men’s tennis circuit, reaching consecutive Grand Slam finals in recent months. This surge prompted tennis legend John McEnroe to state that the two young players could match Rafael Nadal at his peak. However, Roger Federer’s former coach Ivan Ljubicic has challenged this comparison, arguing that both Sinner and Alcaraz still have significant growth ahead before reaching Nadal’s prime level.
Sinner and Alcaraz have collectively claimed the last seven Grand Slam titles, with Sinner winning four and Alcaraz securing three. Their rivalry was on full display at the Roland Garros final last month, where Alcaraz staged a remarkable comeback from two sets down to defeat World No.1 Sinner in a grueling five-hour and 29-minute match.
Recent Finals Highlighting the Rivalry’s Intensity
Just weeks later, at the Wimbledon final on July 13, Sinner and Alcaraz faced off once more. Alcaraz took the first set and appeared dominant early on, but Sinner battled back to ultimately claim his first Wimbledon title. This victory also snapped Alcaraz’s impressive 24-match winning streak. Wimbledon marked Sinner’s first Grand Slam triumph outside hard courts in addition to ending a title drought since January.
Despite Sinner’s recent success, Alcaraz currently leads their head-to-head with an 8-5 record, having won five of their last six encounters. Additionally, Alcaraz boasts five titles this season, three more than Sinner, underscoring his strong form on the tour.
Ivan Ljubicic Responds to McEnroe’s Bold Assessment
Following their marathon Roland Garros final, John McEnroe claimed that Sinner and Alcaraz could defeat Nadal at his best, sparking controversy. Ivan Ljubicic firmly rejected this view in an interview with Tagesan Zieger, asserting that McEnroe’s assessment was exaggerated. Ljubicic emphasized that while the younger players show promise, they have room to develop before reaching Nadal’s iconic standards.
John McEnroe said that Nadal wouldn’t have stood a chance against these guys. That’s nonsense. We haven’t seen the best of Alcaraz and Sinner yet. They still have a lot of room to improve. The next generation is always better than the last. But I don’t think they’re any further along yet. I sometimes watch matches from 2005, 2008, 2012, and 2015 between Roger and Rafa. That was incredible tennis.
—Ivan Ljubicic, Roger Federer’s Former Coach
Rafael Nadal’s achievements at Roland Garros, where he holds a record 14 titles and a 112-4 win-loss record, are particularly noteworthy. Despite battling injuries later in his career, the 39-year-old Spaniard has amassed 92 tour-level titles, including 22 Grand Slams and 36 Masters 1000 titles. In comparison, Alcaraz and Sinner have won four and five major titles, respectively, highlighting the gap Nadal’s legacy has created in men’s tennis.
Potential Coaching Changes for Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill announced earlier this year that he plans to step away from coaching by the end of 2025 to dedicate more time to his family. However, after Sinner’s Wimbledon win, the player hinted that Cahill might reconsider that decision and remain by his side longer. Amid these developments, Ivan Ljubicic was asked whether he would consider becoming Sinner’s coach if Cahill departs sooner than expected.
I have a job with the French Federation, which keeps me busy. But when a player like Sinner comes knocking, you have to at least consider it. Just like with Roger Federer. Sinner, Alcaraz—there are a few players who make me excited. I’ll coach another player at some point. But I don’t know when.
—Ivan Ljubicic, Roger Federer’s Former Coach
Ljubicic acknowledged his current commitments with the French Federation but expressed openness to future coaching opportunities with top players like Sinner or Alcaraz. Cahill’s guidance has been pivotal for Sinner’s success since July 2022, aiding in securing four Grand Slam titles and earning the 2023 ATP Coach of the Year award.
Contextualizing the John McEnroe Nadal Prime Comparison
John McEnroe’s comments reignite an ongoing debate about the relative greatness of tennis generations. His bold comparison places Sinner and Alcaraz on the same level as Rafael Nadal at his strongest, a claim that invites scrutiny given Nadal’s record-breaking feats. Ivan Ljubicic’s reaction provides a tempered perspective, recognizing the talents of the new generation while emphasizing the unmatched accomplishments of Nadal’s prime.
As the men’s tour continues to evolve, the rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz is expected to shape the sport’s future, though surpassing legends like Nadal remains a formidable challenge. The coaching dynamics, player development, and on-court performances in the next few years will determine how closely this new cohort approaches the heights of past greats.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How high was John McEnroe ranked?
A. John McEnroe first became the world’s top singles player on March 3, 1980. He held the No. 1 spot 14 different times from 1980 to 1985. McEnroe finished as the No. 1 player each year from 1981 to 1984 and spent a total of 170 weeks at the top.