In Focus by The Hindu In Focus-Weekend | Sinner vs Alcaraz: A new era of dominance in tennis
Sep 14, 2025
In this engaging discussion, N. Sudarshan, a seasoned tennis journalist with over a decade of experience, breaks down the thrilling rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. They examine how these two rising stars are reshaping men's tennis, having split the last eight Grand Slams and contested three major finals in one year. The impact of their contrasting styles and off-court controversies adds depth to their rivalry, promising an exciting future for the sport and highlighting the challenges faced by the legendary Big Three.
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A New Peak In Physicality
- Both players have pushed tennis physicality to new levels, sustaining elite shot quality even after five-hour matches.
- Sudarshan says their combination of physicality and shot production is unprecedented.
Treat Coaches As Active Match Partners
- Coaches now actively shape matches with on-court coaching and data-driven input, so prepare players with broader tactical plans.
- Use coaching to reduce player isolation and provide tactical nudges during matches.
Predictable May Mean Plateau
- Sinner's comment about being "predictable" likely reflects hitting a development plateau, not literal predictability.
- Sudarshan suggests both players are evolving tactically to counter each other.
