"They are holding their breath that these two guys get through" - Pat Cash labels Alcaraz and Sinner dominance as 'not healthy'

ATP
Thursday, 08 January 2026 at 05:30
SinnerAlcarazATPF
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been completely dominant on the ATP Tour for the last couple of years now, regularly sweeping up the big titles and clashing in big finals. While their tennis is spectacular and their matchups are mesmerising, former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has admitted that their dominance is not good for the sport.
No one has been able to get even remotely close to them at times. Specifically 2025, when these two players exploded to another level, was when they were at their most authoritative on the ATP Tour. They have split the prior eight Grand Slams between them while facing off in the final of the last three events, with a fourth at the Australian Open hotly tipped by many. They also met in a brace of Masters 1000 finals while also meeting in the ATP Finals at the end of the year, in which the Italian defended his title.
Their dominance is showcased by a quick glance at the rankings. Alcaraz sits in first with 12,050 points with Sinner close behinh with 11,500 after having his number one spot he was perched at for so long stolen at the US Open when he lost his title to the Spaniard. In third is Alexander Zverev, who lies an astonishing 6,395 points behind Sinner. Even if he doubled his ranking points tally he would still be over 1000 points adrift from the four time Grand Slam champion.

Cash concerned with Alcaraz and Sinner supremacy

While a lot of tennis fans are enjoying this rivalry, Cash is worried about them streaking further ahead of the chasing pack. “It’s a two-horse race and I don’t necessarily think it’s a healthy thing,” Cash told Tennis365. “We want to see those great finals between them and the French Open final set the bench so high that everyone wants to see that. We all want another five-set thriller with points being won from all angles, but that’s not going to happen all the time."
The Aussie claimed that organisers wanted these finals, and if one of them gets knocked out then that is a possible classic at their event prevented. “So it is very much a two-horse race and if one of them has a bad day and gets knocked out, the tournament officials are going to be worried. They are all hoping Alcaraz and Sinner get to the final and do what they did at the French Open last year all over again. They are holding their breath that these two guys get through and that’s no necessarily a healthy thing."
He compared this to the WTA Tour, where it is very wide open in talent. In contrast to the ATP where they are two main favourites for the title, the WTA have a whole host of possible title candidates who can lay a persuasive argument on why they will win the major title in Melbourne. “We look at the WTA Tour and it is wide open, with lots of players who can win the Grand Slam, but it’s not like that with the men at the moment."
Despite all of this, he is also joining the tennis fans who want to see another classic battle between the rivals. “Would I like to see Alcaraz and Sinner in the final of the Australian Open on a few weeks time? You bet ya I would. It would be really something.”
Jannik Sinner proudly holds the ATP Finals trophy alongside Carlos Alcaraz in 2025
Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the 2025 ATP Finals

Who could challenge them in the future

The former world number four offered his opinions on who could be the players to take that next step and regularly give the top two something to think about. “These two are the best in the world, there is no doubt about that” he stated. “Novak (Djokovic) is going to be nipping at their heels for as long as he is playing and then you look at Taylor Fritz and he is pushing to get in there."
He looked outside the box as well. "I look at Lorenzo Musetti, who is playing in Hong Kong this week, and he could be one who can get into the mix with the top guys after he did so well last year," he acknowledged. "The same goes for (Alexander) Bublik, who has all the talent."
He also shared his disappointment about Jack Draper being on the sidelines, with Cash believing he had the necessary talent to get to their level. “The one I thought should challenge Alcaraz and Sinner was Jack Draper, but he is having his injury problems. He’s the one who has the firepower, but the poor guy has struggled to keep himself on the track, which is a real shame.”
Alcaraz and Sinner will next step on the court together in the Hyundai Card Super Match in Incheon, South Korea on 10 January before playing in another exhibition in Melbourne just before the Australian Open commences on January 18 - February 1.
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