When it comes to grit and mental endurance on court, tennis legend Chris Evert believes Jannik Sinner holds a slight edge over Carlos Alcaraz—even if the Spaniard’s playbook is a bit thicker. According to Evert, the Italian’s sharper psychological resilience may be his biggest weapon heading into the business end of Roland Garros.
Both young guns have lived up to the hype so far in Paris, making their way through the draw with conviction. With a potential showdown looming on Court Philippe-Chatrier, fans are already buzzing about another classic encounter between the two modern-day gladiators.
Speaking after Sinner’s clinical win over the retiring Richard Gasquet, the 18-time Grand Slam winner broke down the subtleties that separate the two stars.
“I think mentally Sinner is the tougher player,” Evert told Eurosport.
“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 [against Gasquet] that he played.”
Evert’s remarks highlight a fascinating contrast: Alcaraz dazzles with variety and improvisation, while Sinner thrives through focus, self-awareness, and strategic discipline. The Italian’s less-is-more approach, bolstered by clarity in his game plan, might just give him an edge under pressure.
Looking at their rivalry, the Spaniard leads the head-to-head 7-4. While Sinner managed to keep things neck-and-neck up until late 2023, Alcaraz has turned the tide lately, winning their last four matchups in succession. The most recent blow came in Rome, where Alcaraz dismantled Sinner in straight sets—7-6(5), 6-1—to secure his second Masters 1000 title of the year.
Yet, statistics don’t always tell the full story. When Alcaraz opened up about the weight of expectations during Sinner’s three-month suspension due to doping violations in March 2024, his vulnerability revealed another side of mental strength—or the lack thereof.
“A lot of people are asking me, or are telling me, that I have the chance to become No. 1 if Jannik isn’t playing,” said Alcaraz before heading into Monte Carlo.
“So probably that pressure has killed me in some way.”
That mental strain forced Alcaraz to reset and shift his internal compass. Instead of chasing ranking points, he embraced a freer mindset.
“I’m just thinking that I’m not able to become No. 1 in the clay season, even if Jannik is not playing, I don’t have the chance to do it,” Alcaraz admitted.
“I think I’m too far from Jannik. So I’m just here and I realise that I don’t have to think about it and just go there and play. That’s my mindset right now.”
The Spaniard’s comments echo the ongoing battle athletes face between ambition and balance. While his on-court magic remains undeniable, his inner game appears more volatile compared to Sinner’s calm, calculated demeanor.
Adding to the conversation, former British No. 1 and current Eurosport analyst Tim Henman weighed in with his forecast. While he acknowledges Sinner’s growing momentum as he finds his rhythm after time away, Henman still believes the Spaniard is the man to beat.
“I think Sinner is a close second, I think Alcaraz is the favourite,” Henman stated.
“I think every time he wins a match it is a big step in the right direction because he is getting more and more court time.
“But I do think Alcaraz is still the favourite.”
As the French Open draws closer to its finale, the duel between muscle memory and mental mettle, shot variety and strategic composure, is building towards an inevitable crescendo. While Sinner continues to solidify his credentials as a tactical titan, Alcaraz’s firepower and flair keep him just one swing away from glory.
The big question is—when the moment of truth arrives, who will blink first?