Former world number one
Chris Evert has highlighted what
makes Italy’s
Jannik Sinner so consistent compared to Spain’s
Carlos Alcaraz. Both
players are already regarded as two of the best currently playing in men’s
tennis in the singles category.
While Alcaraz is younger and has won more Grand Slams,
Sinner’s rise has been very consistent. He became the world number one during the
French Open last year and, since then, has maintained the position despite facing a doping scandal, which led to a three-month suspension earlier this year.
Former world number one Evert has recently spoken to
TNT
Sports, where she highlighted the reason behind Sinner’s consistency at the highest
level compared to Alcaraz. The 18-time Grand Slam winner was of the opinion that mentally, the Italian tennis star is a ‘tougher player’ compared to the
young Spaniard. Evert also stated that, despite not having a similar kind of talent, Sinner has managed to maintain a high level of consistency due to his
mental toughness.
"I think mentally Sinner is the tougher
player," said Evert. "I think he is mentally a little tougher than
Carlos Alcaraz because he [Sinner] does not have as many options in his game. He
does everything so well, he has full awareness of what his strengths and
weaknesses are. He has length, he has power, and he is learning. As his coach
Darren Cahill has said he is learning more about drop shots, and he is learning
more about coming in. I think he has learnt a lot from that last match that he
played."
Both Sinner and Alcaraz have cemented their spot in the third
round of the ongoing French Open. The reigning world number one defeated France’s
Richard Gasquet in the round of 64 in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-0,
6-4. On the other hand, Alcaraz, who is also defending his title in Paris this
year, cemented his spot in the last 32 after beating Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan
with a score of 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.