Macci rules out that Fonseca and Jódar can challenge Alcaraz and Sinner

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been the two dominant players on the ATP tour in recent years. The Italian tennis player and the Spaniard have shared a hegemony that has allowed them to win the majority of the major tournaments on the circuit, although some believe that certain players from the new generation like Joao Fonseca or Rafa Jódar himself may challenge them. However, Rick Macci believes that no one can currently compete with them despite their great talent.

The renowned American coach gave an interview to 'Tennis365' where he spoke about Sinner and Alcaraz, highlighting the gap that exists between them and the rest of the circuit. Although he sees Fonseca or Jódar as potential top 5 players on the ATP tour in the medium term, he believes they do not have enough to match Jannik and Carlos, predicting more dominance from both in the coming months despite the fact that they are going through a tough time due to respective right knee and wrist injuries.

"These other guys might make a cameo and be in the top five, but nobody I see right now is going to be on their level, because they still have some things that are not like them, whether it's a slightly different movement, or maybe they aren't as strong in this or that. Alcaraz ticks all the boxes, and by the way Sinner plays, especially in 2026, it's impossible to penetrate his defense from any side

Alcaraz's biggest rival is Alcaraz

According to Macci, “Fonseca can definitely be among the contenders. Many of these guys are going to break into the top five because they are very young. But, by the way Sinner plays, he has firepower from both sides and can generate quality from quality. He is hitting the ball at 80 miles per hour eight times in a row while holding the baseline. And his mind is like granite, that’s why he is the number one in the world! He has the most important qualities, even if he doesn't have all the motor skills like Carlos.

Moreover, the American took the opportunity to praise Alcaraz, revealing that his biggest enemy is still himself due to the amount of resources in his shot arsenal. "Alcaraz ticks all the boxes. The only time he gets in trouble is when he has too many options. But what a good situation… his toughest rival, many times, is in the mirror. It's not the other guy.

The truth is that it is still too early to place Fonseca or Jódar on par with Sinner and Alcaraz, just as true as it is to assert that both have a lot of improvement ahead in the coming years. To this day, no one has been able to match the talent of the player from Murcia and the one from San Cándido, but undoubtedly both Joao and Rafa have all the ingredients to be the visible face of the new generation and to compete on equal terms with the two main names on the circuit in time.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Macci descarta que Fonseca y Jódar puedan plantar cara a Alcaraz y Sinner