“Tennis is in good hands”: Rafael Nadal says Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are ‘far above the rest’

Rafael Nadal has weighed in on the rising rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, just days after their epic Roland Garros final. Last Sunday, Alcaraz was crowned French Open champion for the second year in a row, defeating the Italian in a fifth-set tiebreak in what’s already being hailed as one of the greatest Grand Slam finals in history.

Over the past couple of seasons, the rivalry between the world No. 1 and No. 2 has taken full shape. They’ve split the last six Grand Slam titles (three each), though this was their first head-to-head in a major final.

Alcaraz once again found the answers to beat Sinner – who led by two sets – earning his fifth consecutive win over the Italian and improving his head-to-head lead to 8–4. The 21-year-old Spaniard and 23-year-old Italian have clearly taken the baton from the Big 3, with signs pointing to a long-lasting rivalry.

Speaking at the charity event “The Battle of Stars” at Pula Golf Resort, 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal praised the new generation: “Tennis is bigger than any player. There will always be Grand Slam champions, and everyone will find their own path. New stars appear, and here they are.”

“There are two players clearly above the rest. They’re showing they’re great champions, and they’re making their own way. That’s the reality—tennis is in good hands," he added.

Nadal also expressed joy about Alcaraz’s rapid maturity: “If he’s already able to think of me in that moment, then that’s amazing. I’m very happy for him.”

Both Alcaraz and Sinner are now headed for their only grass-court warm-up events before Wimbledon: Alcaraz will play at Queen’s Club, while Sinner travels to Halle to defend his title. They are expected to be the top two seeds at Wimbledon and could only meet again in the final.