Like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, but better? Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner taking tennis ‘where it’s never been before’

Fans were treated to nearly five-and-a-half hours of jaw-dropping action, as Carlos Alcaraz recovered from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner and win the French Open.

The quality on display was at a level rarely seen since the days of the ‘Big Four’, prompting discussion over where the match, and players, ranked in the sport’s history.

John McEnroe claimed both Alcaraz and Sinner could stand up to Rafael Nadal when he was “at his best”, and now fellow TNT Sports expert Mats Wilander has weighed in on the debate.

“It took a while to digest and realise that that was most probably the best tennis match that I’ve ever seen in terms of drama and in terms of the level,” he said.

“Obviously, you can never count out Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for a couple of years at Wimbledon because they were intriguing in a very different way because of the contrast of styles. But in terms of level, I must say this is most probably the best one.

“I think we have a rivalry just like the Federer-Nadal and Nadal-Djokovic, where every single match that they play will be dramatic in some way.

“The level will be so high that I think we’re going to see it over and over again, and we’re going to get used to it and just have to realise that this is a very, very special rivalry we have in front of us.”

At 22 and 23 years of age respectively, Alcaraz and Sinner still have long careers ahead of them.

Some may consider it premature to mention their names in the same breath as Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, but Wilander believes they are well on their way to those heights.

“I think we have to start to understand that we are actually watching somebody who could become among the greatest players of all time in both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

“And the other thing that I really love is the way they’re taking our game! It’s not towards just keeping the ball in play. It’s not towards just coming to the net on everything. It’s being super aggressive all the time.

“There are certain players on tour that are not playing like that, and they have to reshape their game if they’re going to stay with (them). Because Alcaraz and Sinner are taking it in a direction where it’s never been before, and it’s not coming back.”

Carlos Alcaraz is aiming for his third consecutive Wimbledon title in 2025, but enters the prestigious tournament in south-west London as the world No.2.

Meanwhile, world No.1 Jannik Sinner is still chasing his first triumph at the All England Club.

Following their epic clash in Paris earlier this month, fans are already relishing the possibility of another showdown — one that could rival the drama and quality of their Roland-Garros classic.

Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam champion in the 1980s, is tipping Spaniard Alcaraz for more success in SW19.

“I think it’s a very positive vibe that he comes into Wimbledon with because he’s won the French Open. And if he doesn’t win Wimbledon, so what?

“I remember going to Wimbledon and having won the French Open. You’re just so relaxed. And anything that happens at Wimbledon is a bonus.

“I think he’s going to be very, very difficult to beat because he’s proven now at last year’s French Open finals and semis down two sets to one, and he comes back and he plays his best tennis.

“He’s proven that he’s going to play his best tennis when it means the most, and he’s going to have the most fun when it means the least.”