Wilander explains why Sinner and Alcaraz have taken tennis to the next level

Fernando Murciego | 6 Feb 2026 | 09.13

Wilander: "Sinner and Alcaraz have taken the game to the next level." Source: Getty

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A new season, but the same debate. Are Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner better than Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, and Novak Djokovic? The conversation is exhausting, but Mats Wilander has wanted to add new insights.

We love Mats Wilander for all he did on the court, although his truly lasting legacy is being marked in the media. In statements collected by Tennis 365, we can read the Swede developing the Big 3 versus this new Big2 debate. We assert time and time again that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner aim to improve upon the achievements left by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. This, in itself, is very debatable, but what about their tennis skills? What new elements do these two young men bring?

"Sinner and Alcaraz have taken the game to the next level for several reasons," Wilander begins. "I have seen players hit the ball harder than Jannik, but none who hit it as hard and receive it as early. Sinner is a genius, no doubt. The combination of receiving early and striking with such force is what makes Sinner so incredible. It is much harder to hit so hard and with such consistency when receiving so early," points out the seven-time major champion concerning the Italian champion.

"We have seen many guys standing three meters behind the baseline on a clay court hitting it hard because they have time to line up the ball and achieve that connection. Sinner does not do that. He stands on the baseline hitting the ball very hard. Personally, I had never seen anyone in my tennis career with that combination of hitting the ball so hard and receiving it so early," reinforces the Swede, a specialist in raising the latest man to embrace a trophy to the skies.

Wilander is at a loss for words to describe Alcaraz

And who is the latest man to embrace a big trophy? Exactly, Carlos Alcaraz. For the Murcian, the former Växjö player also has kind words. "Then you look at Alcaraz, and it seems like he is on another level. It does not mean that they are better than Federer at his best, or Nadal and Djokovic at their best. Perhaps they make more mistakes, but the game is faster. They make more mistakes than Djokovic and Nadal when they were at their best, and maybe that's why it's so difficult to compare different eras," compares one of the authoritative voices in the Eurosport team.

To fully engage in the debate, perhaps we should highlight the greatest strengths of the Big3 members, where we may realize how hasty this debate can be. "We have to incorporate Nadal's mentality into this discussion. We have to incorporate Djokovic's ability to understand what is happening and give them what they don't want. That's why I like Novak being present and trying himself against these young men, to keep fueling this debate," Mats concludes.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Wilander explica por qué Sinner y Alcaraz han llevado el tenis al siguiente nivel

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