Paul explains why it is so difficult to beat Sinner and Alcaraz

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 14 Jan 2026 | 19.37

Paul explains why it is so difficult to beat Sinner and Alcaraz. Photo: Getty

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There are many figures called upon to challenge the dominant rivalry in the men's circuit between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. This 2026 Australian Open is a new opportunity for the possible resurgence of this third party, although both the Spanish and the Italian are strong favorites.

Tommy Paul is one of the candidates to break this dynamic, a player who has managed to defeat Carlitos twice and Jannik once. The American player detailed the reason why it is so challenging to overcome these two rivals.

"At Wimbledon, I was dealing with my foot issue, and then, during the tournament, I tore a tendon, although that started long before. I twisted my ankle a while back, and it's an injury that never fully disappeared. And then, during Wimbledon, I ended up tearing the tendon. After that, it got weird, it sounds terrible, but the truth is I felt a bit better afterward.

Once I let it rest for a couple of weeks, I felt a bit better. Then, at the US Open, during Roland Garros, I started feeling my groin muscles and had a sports hernia in the lower abdominal area. So, we had to deal with that, which is what kept me out for the remainder of the season after the US Open," Tommy Paul explained in an interview on Gill Gross's channel.

A season hampered by injuries

"Many people asked me, 'How scared was I of missing some time at these tournaments in Asia and Europe at the end of the year?' And I thought, 'It's nice to rest at home for three months.' I believe most players would say that's how they wish the season was. You play all year until the US Open, and then it's your rest season. Well, this is what I asked for for a year, and now I have it. Obviously, not in the circumstances I want, but I had three free months. It's a good opportunity to rest, clear my mind, and also practice and prepare for 2026."

Tommy Paul and his frustrations with Jannik Sinner and with Carlos Alcaraz

"They are very good players and adapt. They don't allow you to play the same tennis as in the first set. Many times I feel the first set is going my way, and then it's easy to notice in the second set that Sinner or Alcaraz start playing the match much more their way and aggressively, changing direction more. Basically, they take the lead in the second set, it's very hard not to let them do that. Especially after a set, you can literally see how their mentality changes, and once they switch their mindset, it's hard to stop them from doing what they want."