Jannik Sinner was evasive, and that can only mean one thing: that’s how the world No. 1 displaced everyone.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were in the foreground, sportingly giving each other a fist bump instead of the usual high five. Behind them, the Big Three, symbolizing the past that left space and stage, as it should, for the future. A poster, that of Wimbledon 2023, which was not exactly liked by everyone, but which today appears prophetic to us to the nth degree.
We knew that the Iberian and the Blue were destined for great things, but we did not imagine that they could even come to monopolize, in a sense, the Tour. The fact that they shared the 4 Slams of the year is indicative, however, that right now there is none for anyone else and that thwarting them might be harder than we think. And that aspiring champions will have to scramble quite a bit, in light of this, to oust the new kings of world tennis.
Not everyone is certain, however, that this “hegemony” will go on for long. There are some who think, indeed, that it is too early to talk and speculate about what might happen from here on out. And it is precisely the world number 1, the pride of all Italy, who is convinced of this, as is clear from the way he spoke about the dualism with Alcaraz in the interview a few days ago with Corriere della Sera.
Sinner-Alcaraz, every man for himself
When the journalist noted that the fair division of the 2024 Slams may have officially sanctioned the end of the Big Three era, Jannik launched into a surprisingly lucid and rational examination.
“Let’s wait to say that the Big Two era has begun: one season is not enough. I’m glad to be part of this potential who-knows-what but you never know what’s going to happen, there are so many players who can do well. It’s useless to talk about it now. Djokovic, for example, at the Olympics won the last thing he was missing and he is highly motivated for the future. But it is good to see new players in the limelight, new champions and new rivalries. With Carlos we push each other,” Sinner further explained, ”making each other better. The work never ends, it continues.”
The usual, admirable Jannik, in short, who never excludes any possibility and is always ready, indeed, for anything. Even to handle the unexpected. Wise as few and a lover of challenges. Especially those that seem impossible but for him are not, then, ever.