Carlos Alcaraz has caused concern with his recent run of form. The world No. 1 has not reached a final since last August and was recently forced to retire just two games into the Rio Open when he got injured. Retired tennis star Rennae Stubbs says there is a “real worry” about the 20-year-old, claiming that Jannik Sinner would go on to be the better player.
Alcaraz sparked concern when he turned his ankle just a couple of points into his first match in Rio last week, retiring at 1-1 and later announcing that he suffered a grade II lateral sprain. He is still set to be ready for this weekend’s Netflix Slam exhibition match against Rafael Nadal, and for the Indian Wells Masters.
But the Rio retirement was the latest disappointing result for the Spaniard, who crashed out in the semi-final of Buenos Aires and lost in the Australian Open quarters. He has not won a title in seven months and, last Autumn, went on a three-match losing run for the first time since March 2021.
Former doubles world No. 1 Stubbs has now raised further concerns about Alcaraz’s current level as his woes continue – with or without the added issue if an injury. “He has done his ankle, they’re all hoping he’s going to be back for his Netflix thing in Vegas, a lot of money on the line,” Stubbs said on her podcast for Racquet.
“But you know, Jesus man, it (his form) is a worry, it’s a real worry.” While Alcaraz has struggled in recent months, another young player is flourishing. Jannik Sinner has lost just two matches since the US Open. He picked up his maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne at the start of this year and is unbeaten in 2024, also winning in Rotterdam.
It had led Stubbs – a former coach of Serena Williams – to declare that Sinner would have a more promising future career, even though he’s currently playing catch-up to Alcaraz. She continued: “When you think about if you had to put money on a player doing better in their career over the next decade between Sinner and Alcaraz, I’d put it on Sinner.
“I think he’s physically better, I think he has more game. I actually think he’s a better all-round player at the moment.” Comparing the two young Grand Slam champions, the Australian shared the glaring hole she saw in Alcaraz’s game.
“The biggest issue with Alcaraz is his serve, it doesn’t get him enough free points,” Stubbs added. “Jannik has a huge serve. I think [Alcaraz] plays a little bit too defensively on certain surfaces. I think he’s attackable to a forehand on a fast court, running to his forehand. If you compare Sinner and Alcaraz off their weakness, for me, Jannik has less weaknesses.”
Alcaraz will have the chance to prove Stubbs wrong over the next month during the ‘sunshine double’ – the two Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami. He is the reigning champion at the former event, and also won his first Masters title in Miami two years ago.