“The picture is quite clear”: Bertolucci doubts any rival can disrupt Sinner–Alcaraz era

The Australian Open has long been considered the tournament that sets the tone for the tennis season, but according to former Italian Davis Cup player Paolo Bertolucci, its importance has never been greater. Writing in La Gazzetta dello Sport, Bertolucci argued that success in Melbourne can immediately define a player’s year, providing momentum, confidence, and a clear position within the hierarchy of the men’s game.

Bertolucci’s analysis comes at a time when the men’s tour appears increasingly polarized. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have established themselves as the dominant forces, having shared the last three Grand Slam finals between them and split the last eight Grand Slam titles contested.

“The Australian Open is the Grand Slam that more than any other can shape a season: a victory on the scorching hard courts of Melbourne Park immediately puts you in the right position, gives you momentum, and defines your season,” commented the legendary Italian.

“The picture, for now, is quite clear: Sinner and Alcaraz are the big favorites in every tournament they enter, and especially after the last three Grand Slams in which they faced each other for the title, it is difficult to imagine a third player capable of breaking into that dynamic.”

In Bertolucci’s view, the conditions and timing of the first Slam amplify its strategic value more than any other major on the calendar. At the same time, the broader field appears to be in a transitional phase. While young talents are emerging, Bertolucci sees a clear gap between potential and immediate threat. That imbalance, he suggests, has opened a rare window of opportunity for Sinner and Alcaraz to consolidate their control of the tour before the next wave fully matures.

“That is why Melbourne becomes even more decisive: it can immediately ignite the chase for the Grand Slam. Two powerful words, a tennis Everest that has eluded even the greatest—just think of Novak Djokovic, who fell one step short at the US Open final, beaten by Daniil Medvedev.”

The Italian former world No. 12 believes that the players’ desire to complete a Career Grand Slam will shape the upcoming season, with Alcaraz looking to complete his collection in Melbourne and Sinner in Paris.

“Alcaraz has never won the Australian Open, and Sinner has yet to complete his collection of major titles with Roland Garros. It is natural that both want to fill that gap, but it is also true that they are perfectly aware of the huge opportunity they have.”

The former Davis Cup champion mentioned several names as potential challengers to the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz but believes they still need time to become true contenders. “We are in an extremely favorable time window where, at the moment, no real rivals are in sight. Joao Fonseca and Jakub Mensik are approaching, but they are not yet truly dangerous. The same applies to the left-hander Learner Tien, the Next Gen champion.”

“Who knows if in a couple of years someone will come along to disrupt the SinCaraz duopoly? In short, to quote Horace, carpe diem.”