For the last few years, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been tennis’ most thrilling promise—two prodigies rewriting the future with breathtaking speed, fearless firepower, and the unshakable belief that destiny had room for both. But as 2025 heats up, the balance of that rivalry seems to be shifting a bit—and one of Italian tennis’ most respected voices has issued a stark warning for the Spaniard. From the outside, their rivalry appears to be a fireworks show destined to blaze for a decade. Yet to Adriano Panatta, the man who once lifted Roland Garros (1976), the plot has taken an unmistakable turn. With Sinner’s recent heroics, he believes Alcaraz is stepping into dangerous territory.

Although Alcaraz has a 10-5 edge over Sinner in their H2H and he has already secured four wins against the Italian in their five meetings in 2025, the 75-year-old tennis legend looks a bit concerned with Alcaraz’s recent performances. On one side, we saw Sinner lifting the Paris Masters title by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final by 6-4, 7-6(4). But then on the other side, Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat to the Brit Cameron Norrie in his opening match of the Paris Masters. This defeat ended his and Sinner’s run of playing in the finals at five consecutive tournaments they’ve competed in. Reacting to this defeat, Alcaraz had claimed, “I did not feel well today. I had no feeling on the court and made too many errors.”

He was quite disappointed with his level in that match. Tennis legend Jim Courier compared this defeat to his earlier setback against David Goffin in Miami, and while sharing his thoughts on his 54 unforced errors in that match, Henman went on to add that he feels Carlos Alcaraz sometimes enters what he called “kamikaze mode.” Recently, in an interview with La Dominica Sportiva, Panatta heaped praise on Sinner for his experimentations with drop shots and serves, and he also claimed that Sinner now looks much more relaxed on court. He further added, “He (Sinner) has become almost unbeatable now. Alcaraz could have a bad day and lose, but that never happens to Jannik in the first or second round. Either he loses in the final or he gets injured. So Carlos has to be careful: either he stays focused or he’ll never beat him again.”

It’s a statement that feels less like criticism and more like a challenge—a call to Alcaraz to safeguard the throne he once claimed with fearless swagger. Because today, Sinner isn’t the hunter anymore. He’s the standard. The machine. The one who shows up week after week, crafted not just from talent but from steel-edged discipline and a mind that refuses to blink. How has his performance been in comparison to Alcaraz in 2025, though?

Sinner now owns the fifth-most Masters 1000 titles among active players with five. Carlos Alcaraz has 8, and hence he’s in second place in that list (after Novak Djokovic—40). Jannik Sinner has won a big title in every 6.3 tournaments he has played in his career, and that number is 3.9 for Alcaraz.

Both these players have had an outstanding season this year, but who’ll have the last laugh at the Nitto ATP Finals, which kick-starts on November 9?

What stands out most about Carlos Alcaraz, beyond his divine talent and superhuman shot-making, is that ever-present smile: a constant companion whether he wins a point or loses one. Always gracious, always glowing, the Spaniard radiates joy even in battle. “Having a smile on my face is the key to everything I do. I smile a lot when I play and that reflects on my game,” he even told Le Figaro. Yet ironically, that same smile once worked against him, as WTA star Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova confessed she didn’t like Alcaraz when they first met, all because of that relentless, unforgettable grin.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who closed her season after the US Open and currently sits at world No. 47, recently offered a candid reflection on her first encounter with Carlos Alcaraz. The Russian star admitted that her initial impression of the young Spaniard was far from flattering. What many perceive as Alcaraz’s charm and positivity once struck her as something less genuine. Yet, time and experience have reshaped her view entirely.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Box podcast, Pavlyuchenkova opened up about that turning point. “After that I really took a liking to Alcaraz,” she confessed. “Because somehow, well I don’t really know, I didn’t really like his manner, because it seemed to me that he had a bit of a pretence, he smiles all the time.”

She elaborated further, laughing at her own skepticism. “I think, ‘How is that possible?’” she said, comparing his sunny demeanor to her own fiery disposition. “Well, I compare myself, I have just drama there all the time when I play. I think, ‘How is it possible?’, he smiles at his team all the time—it’s too much.” Over time, though, her perspective evolved, and what once seemed excessive now appears admirable. Pavlyuchenkova ultimately acknowledged that her opinion of the world No. 2 has shifted for the better.

Interestingly, that “too much” smile has also charmed Alcaraz’s peers on the ATP Tour. Stefanos Tsitsipas, for one, has openly praised the Spaniard’s radiant presence. After a practice session with Alcaraz in 2023, Tsitsipas said, “I owe a lot to Carlitos, because he’s such a breath of fresh air. The fact that just he’s so competitive and he’s always with a smile on his face, and almost so much charisma to him and so much positive energy that he distributes. I think that’s contributed a lot to his growth as a tennis player and his consistency too.”

Alcaraz himself has never shied away from acknowledging the power of his smile. “I’m winning all the time because I am smiling,” he once said with his trademark grin, later adding, “And I always said that smiling for me is the key of everything, you know.” His attitude, disarming and infectious, has become a defining part of his identity, a weapon as sharp as his forehand.

Even in defeat, Alcaraz radiates the same unflinching positivity. After his heartbreaking Wimbledon final loss to Jannik Sinner this year, he stood on Center Court still smiling, applauding his rival, and soaking in the moment with grace and humility. It’s a trait few can master, but one that’s fast becoming his signature.

Though his latest Paris Masters campaign ended with a surprising second-round defeat to Britain’s Cameron Norrie, Alcaraz’s aura remains untarnished. Yet, despite the Spaniard’s trademark composure on court, his early-round struggles at the Paris Masters have stirred bold judgments and sharp verdicts from voices beyond the tennis world.

Journalist delivers brutal take on Carlos Alcaraz’s Paris exit

French tennis journalist Benoit Maylin didn’t hold back on the latest episode of Sans Filet. With piercing honesty, he dissected Carlos Alcaraz’s demeanor in Paris, stripping away the polish to reveal a side fans rarely see. “I didn’t like Alcaraz’s attitude. I didn’t like that body language where he gets angry, he tells himself he won’t make it… Now, he has to prove that he can manage to win even when playing poorly,” Maylin declared, his words cutting through the noise like a clean forehand winner.

He went further, drawing comparisons to the giants who came before. “Nadal, Federer, or Djokovic didn’t always play sublime tennis, but they managed to win because they fought with the humility of a battle. Rafael Nadal would never have had such an attitude on the court. Be careful not to get a little big-headed,” he warned.

The criticism stemmed from a night in Paris that felt strangely out of rhythm. From the opening rallies under the bright glare of La Défense Arena, something in Alcaraz’s energy seemed misaligned. The Spaniard, known for his electric presence, looked muted, as though wrestling his own reflection.

His forehand, normally a weapon of destruction, faltered again and again. Though he managed to edge Cameron Norrie 6-4 in a tense 52-minute first set, the usual fire was missing. He was leading, yes, but the dominance that defines him was nowhere to be found.

Across the net, Norrie smelled opportunity. Having beaten Alcaraz twice before, he dug in deep, countering power with precision. As the second set began, the tide turned sharply. Alcaraz’s game spiraled into chaos, 19 unforced errors, a cascade of missed chances, and growing frustration.

By the start of the third, the mask slipped. Turning to his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz vented: “I don’t feel anything. Zero! It’s worse than Monte-Carlo. The only thing saving me is my serve. I’m doing everything wrong.” Ferrero, calm and steady, replied, “Everything? Look at what you’re doing well, correct the rest.” But the fire had dimmed.

Now, as Alcaraz regroups for the ATP Finals, the script flips once more. A looming showdown with Jannik Sinner awaits, two young titans chasing not just a title, but the right to end the season as the sport’s true No. 1.

Holger Rune is wasting no time in his recovery journey! Just ten days after undergoing Achilles tendon repair surgery, the young Dane has already returned to the practice court.

Thus, the former Masters 1000 champion showed remarkable determination and grit following the biggest setback of his career that will keep him away from the court for months.

Holger, who suffered a severe left ankle injury during the Stockholm Open semi-final, shared footage of himself training again – this time in a seated position on an indoor court, keeping his left leg fully straight while striking forehands from a platform.

The session symbolized the first step on what promises to be a long but determined road back for the young champion. The 22-year-old is expected to return at some point in 2026.

Despite missing the start of the new season, the Dane’s quick return to the court showcases the same competitive fire that has defined his rise on the ATP Tour, making him a top-10 star.

Rather than waiting for full mobility, Holger has already begun adapting his training to maintain rhythm, focus and positive vibes. Rune smiled and looked confident despite a massive setback that will ruin his progress.

The road to recovery will be demanding, as always after severe injuries. However, the Dane’s message is clear – while his body suffers, his spirit remains unbroken.

Even sidelined by a major injury, the young star continues to fight days after surgery. His gesture proves once again why he is one of the sport’s most relentless competitors and an inspiration for the upcoming players and tennis lovers.