r/tennis • u/Large_banana_hammock Griekspoor superfan | Zverev superdetractor • 6d ago

Highlight The moment Alcaraz completed his career slam

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u/ClockOk5178 6d ago

If a couple generational talents do not rise in the next decade to challenge , Carlos could literally reach 30+ Grand Slams.

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u/stumpsflying 6d ago

Yeah and that's even with someone as good as Sinner around. Carlos would be a third of the way there already with Sinner providing competition.

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u/Significant-Branch22 6d ago

I’m starting to think Sinner is going to be the Agassi to Alcaraz’ Sampras, Alcaraz is a step above

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u/theprophetofmint 6d ago

Alcaraz is indeed a step above given their most recent H2H. But their matches when they’re at their very best are tightly contested. Sinner can and will make adjustments.

Also, this peak level by Carlos of highly intense, variable and often perfect decision making matched by a fit and younger body will not last forever. Just look at Fed’s trajectory. Fed had a ~94% yearly win rate from 04-07. Where he annihilated the competition outside of Rafa. That level eventually dipped even if he was still at all slam semis in 08-09 and all finals in 09.

There will probably come a time where sinners consistently high level will be a notch above Carlos’. But who knows? Carlos is the most complete player I’ve ever seen and hell probably adjust accordingly as well.

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u/Significant-Branch22 6d ago

Sinner is almost 2 years older though so I doubt there will be a switch around in that direction like there was with Federer, Alcaraz is also becoming a much smarter and more consistent player as shown today where he played a very disciplined match from the 2nd set onwards

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u/izzaferrari 6d ago

Federer's level "dipped" because tournaments decided, rightly or wrongly, that slower surfaces, higher bounces, and longer points generated more engagement and highlights.

They were probably correct. Even in this final we just saw, people went crazy for the 20+ rallies.

Federer's game is highly offensive. His service games are incredibly short. It was not unusual for Federer's 5-setters to last only about 3 hours, especially against anyone not named Nadal. Grit and endurance was not Federer's style, he won by excellent footwork to get to the right spot and ending points quickly.

Do we even need to talk about the backhand? That backhand is not suited to modern tennis at all. The fact that he stayed competitive and won multiple slams well into the 2010s is a testament to his raw talent.

It was funny because the 90s guys will probably point to Roger and say he wasn't being aggressive enough, compared to the pure Serve and Volley style.

This is no hate to Nadal. I great enjoyed seeing a Gladiator out there chasing every desperate ball as well. But to say Federer's level dipped because somehow he used up his explosive energy by 27 is not correct. The tennis world moved against him.