Tennis icon John McEnroe has stirred lively debate by suggesting that modern stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner might have the edge over Rafael Nadal in his prime at the French Open—an audacious claim given Nadal’s legendary record at Roland Garros. McEnroe’s remark gained further relevance as Alcaraz and Sinner went on to deliver one of the most electrifying Grand Slam finals in the Open Era.
On Sunday, Alcaraz pulled off a remarkable comeback to defeat World No. 1 Sinner in a five-set thriller, bouncing back from two sets down in the French Open final.
Appearing on TNT Sports, McEnroe applauded the current generation and drew comparisons with the game’s greatest icons.
“You could make a very strong case that both Alcaraz and Sinner would be favoured against Nadal at his peak,” McEnroe said. “The level of tennis right now is the highest I’ve ever witnessed.”
Despite Nadal’s unmatched record of 14 French Open titles and a 112-4 win-loss record at Roland Garros—built on grit, clay-court brilliance, and unbreakable mental strength—McEnroe believes today’s top talents have raised the bar.
While he stopped short of predicting either would match the Grand Slam tallies of Nadal, Federer, or Djokovic, McEnroe underscored their extraordinary quality.
“Do I think either of them will reach 20 or 24 Slams? No. That level is nearly unreachable,” he said. “But these two, watching them feels like watching the NBA and saying no one could top Michael Jordan.”
Alcaraz’s victory, the longest final in French Open history, showcased his tenacity. After trailing by two sets and saving three championship points, the Spaniard triumphed over Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2). Sinner, already a champion at the Australian and US Opens, was seeking his third consecutive major.
“These two have matured into phenomenal players,” McEnroe commented. “They’re admirable young men and fantastic ambassadors for tennis.”
The seven-time Grand Slam winner also remarked that while Alcaraz and Sinner form a thrilling new rivalry, the sport would benefit from a broader pool of emerging stars.
“To elevate men’s tennis further, we need a third or even a fourth top contender,” he noted. “Jack Draper or Ben Shelton could fill that role. Francis Tiafoe might be slightly older, but we need more names in the mix.”
Reflecting on past eras, McEnroe drew parallels to the dominance of Borg and Connors, and how Djokovic built his legacy in the shadow of Federer and Nadal. With Alcaraz and Sinner now leading the charge, McEnroe believes the stage is set for a new golden age—one that could rival, or even surpass, the sport’s most celebrated legacies.
