How Alcaraz-Sinner hype could help Djokovic break all-time major ...
In its short history, the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz – better known as ‘Sincaraz’ – has produced some epic encounters.
From their 2022 US Open quarterfinal to their match at the China Open final last Sunday, the pair have stunned fans with their raw ability and level of tennis.
Todd Woodbridge, a 22-time Grand Slam doubles champion, is another in awe of the talent the 23-year-old Italian and 21-year-old Spaniard possess.
“They have had some ridiculous matches. A few years back, when Alcaraz won the US Open and they played a five-setter, that was just extraordinary tennis,” he said on The AO Show podcast.
“Sometimes as a player I sit and watch tennis and I’ll go, ‘No, no, no. You can’t do that. Sorry, that’s not possible’. And they do it again. Then another point and they do it again.”
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Sinner and Alcaraz have so far played 10 tour-level matches against each other, with Alcaraz leading the head-to-head 6-4. They also split the majors between them in 2024, with Sinner winning the Australian and US Opens either said of Alcaraz’s Roland Garros-Wimbledon double.
While in its early stages, Woodbridge believes their match-up is already showing glimpses of joining the top echelon of modern-day rivalries.
“That [quality of tennis Sinner and Alcaraz play is] the Novak-and-Roger and the Rafa-and-Novaks and that mix of what those guys played in finals. That’s what they do in their matches which is extraordinary,” Woodbridge said.
Should they play at this year’s Australian Open, it would be the first time they have battled it out at Melbourne Park. Sinner and Alcaraz have clashed at the other three majors, with all three encounters occurring in the second week.
The conversation around their rivalry could help 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic fly somewhat under the radar, despite his extraordinary success in Melbourne.
With just one title to his name in 2024 – his lowest count in a single season since his debut year – Djokovic is unlikely to be considered the favourite for the AO 2025 title.
But according to Woodbridge, this might help the 24-time major champion be more relaxed at Melbourne Park.
“He’s coming into a very different and unusual phase of his career because the way he’s chosen to not play as many tournaments, his focus is on the majors,” Woodbridge observed.
“He actually comes in as a bit of an underdog in all of these players we’re talking about because of that, and he didn’t win a major this year.
“I think it’s probably going to bring him freedom in the way that he approaches it, and he’ll enjoy that.”
