Jim Courier on TC : Alcaraz is like Federer, Sinner is like Djokovic.. they will enthrall for years.

ND-13

Legend
Jim Courier says whenever we speak high of Alcaraz, Sinner also needs to be in conversation.

Brett Haber points out that Alcaraz is separating himself from the rest with 4 majors to 1.

Courier agrees with that but says Sinner has been solid and the level he has shown after USO 23 has been top .

Courier then likens Alcaraz to Federer and Sinner to Djokovic, stating they will enthrall audience for years. He says Alcaraz is known for the razzle dazzle, flashy, wow breathtaking style of tennis and
Sinner Just solid like Djokovic

This is during TC coverage during the Alcaraz-Monfils 3R Cinci match 2024.

Nice to see Courier not giving up on Sinner
 
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Lleytonstation

Talk Tennis Guru
Jim Courier says whenever we speak high of Alcaraz, Sinner also needs to be in conversation.

Brett Haber points out that Alcaraz is separating himself from the rest with 4 majors to 1.

Courier agrees with that but says Sinner has been solid and the level he has shown after USO 23 has been top level.

Courier then likens Alcaraz to Federer and Sinner to Djokovic, stating they will enthrall audience for years. He says Alcaraz is known for the razzle dazzle, flashy, wow breathtaking style of tennis and
Sinner Just solid like Djokovic



This is during TC coverage during the Alcaraz-Monfils 3R Cinci match 2024.

Nice to see Courier not giving up on Sinner
His job depends on it
 

Jack the Hack

Hall of Fame
He's not wrong.

It's not to say that either player will win 20+ Slams or that their personalities are the same as Fed and Djoker. Alcaraz and Sinner are their own unique people, but the comparison in game styles is not far off. If both guys can stay healthy, they will dominate the tennis highlight reels for the next decade.
 

soldat

Semi-Pro
Alcaraz and Sinner are both like Djokovic, there aren’t any players like Nadal currently except for maybe Tabilo, and the only player like Federer might be Tsitsipas or Musetti.
 

Lleytonstation

Talk Tennis Guru
Alcaraz and Sinner are both like Djokovic, there aren’t any players like Nadal currently except for maybe Tabilo, and the only player like Federer might be Tsitsipas or Musetti.
Carlos the shepherd is nothing like djoker. Carlos is ultra aggressive and struggles on return.
 
Ehhh. As much as I love sinner. Neither guy is a pimple on the Big 3s collective arses. They couldn’t even beat the 40 year old versions consistently of Fed and djoker LOL

These talking heads needs to quit comparing guys to the Big 3. There won’t be anyone as good as them. Again. PERIOD. And they will never be close. They just don’t have their talent
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Alcaraz and Sinner are both like Djokovic, there aren’t any players like Nadal currently except for maybe Tabilo, and the only player like Federer might be Tsitsipas or Musetti.
Musetti plays the most like Federer of any player on tour. You can tell he idolized him. Even has a really good slice and reminds me of Roger's.
 
Maybe once Sinner wins an important five-setter against Alcaraz will it be interesting, instead, he's given two slams away to Alcaraz, 2022 USO and 2024 FO.
 

Hood_Man

G.O.A.T.
the only player like Federer might be Tsitsipas
6zL3bDf.jpeg
 

Lleytonstation

Talk Tennis Guru
Both play like Djokovic and nothing like Federer or Nadal, Tsitsipas is the player who plays most like Federer and Tabilo is the one who plays most like Nadal.

In terms of temperament Alcaraz and Sinner are their own categories.
I get zero big3 vibes. But definitely no Djoker vibes.
 

Lleytonstation

Talk Tennis Guru
Musetti plays the most like Federer of any player on tour. You can tell he idolized him. Even has a really good slice and reminds me of Roger's.
Just stop it. Mugsetti has zero slice. Against Djoker he was helpless on that backhand side. Djoker just abused the backhand. Absolute zero threat to Djoker and his slice was brutal. Mugsetti never had a chance with that one hand backhand vs Djoker. He had zero ability to hit it down the line or hit a winner off the backhand wing.

It was like watching an old Fed match vs Djoker or Rafa.

... wait.
 
It's easy to forget due to Sinner's recent injuries and other distractions (read anna k), but Sinner has had better overall results than alcaraz against djokovic over the last year, so the statement rings sort of true.
 

FeroBango

Legend
Eh?? Alcaraz is like Federer? He is more like Nadal than Federer if you need to compare him with Big 3.
He'd tell you himself that while he'd like to be his own man, it's Fed's creativity and aggressive flair that essentially made him pick the racquet of his up.

He's said as much in PCs before.
 

NiCo515

Rookie
He'd tell you himself that while he'd like to be his own man, it's Fed's creativity and aggressive flair that essentially made him pick the racquet of his up.

He's said as much in PCs before.
Alcaraz plays nothing like Federer. I'm shocked that anyone would think otherwise. His game is most similar to that of Djokovic if you have to choose one of the big 3. Then Nadal, though that's a stretch too. Nothing at all like Federer. Some of these comments are nuts. Maybe Federer was his inspiration as a youngster but their games are absolutely nothing alike.
 

FeroBango

Legend
Alcaraz plays nothing like Federer. I'm shocked that anyone would think otherwise. His game is most similar to that of Djokovic if you have to choose one of the big 3. Then Nadal, though that's a stretch too. Nothing at all like Federer. Some of these comments are nuts. Maybe Federer was his inspiration as a youngster but their games are absolutely nothing alike.
Sure Alcaraz lied at the PC a year or two ago when asked to comment at the same. Please express your shock towards the man himself. That'll teach him.

“I’ve said it many times my game is more similar than Roger’s game and I would like to play like him. I would love to play against him, at least just once, but yeah, hope to do it,”

"I always say that my idol is Rafa but I want to say that I really want to play like Roger, I’m not gonna lie, you know, his style, his elegance on the court is something amazing,” he said.


What a shocker.


Note: these comments from Alcaraz is merely a confirmation of what many of us already have seen in his game. To think it isn't like Fed's at this point is what is nuts.
 
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FeroBango

Legend
Fed himself called Alcaraz the most elegant of today's lot lmao.

Seeing as that's somehow a difference between the two going by this thread, our fellow fed fans will ask fed to stfu too I suppose.



Close this thread.
 
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Fair comment but what's funny is as usual, TTW claiming to know more about players than said players themselves (Alcaraz and Federer in this instance).
I agree. Alcaraz knows best and who he plays similar to. I definitely see more Federer in alcaraz because he plays amazing attacking tennis and has that awesome FH too. That why he’s already the best on grass and it suits his game the most like it did with Fed.
 
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FeroBango

Legend
I agree. Alcaraz knows best and who he plays similar to. I definitely see my Federer in alcaraz because he plays amazing attacking tennis and has that awesome FH too. That why he’s already the best on grass and it suits his game the most like it did with Fed.
The ultimate truth is he plays most like Carlos Alcaraz but when it comes to comparisons between the three, it's a no-brainer.

Novak sees elements of all 3 in his game and he isn't wrong either. It's only natural that the next generational athelete takes after the three greats who preceded him -- one of whom can still go toe to toe with him.
 
The ultimate truth is he plays most like Carlos Alcaraz but when it comes to comparisons between the three, it's a no-brainer.

Novak sees elements of all 3 in his game and he isn't wrong either. It's only natural that the next generational athelete takes after the three greats who preceded him -- one of whom can still go toe to toe with him.
This is a great point. Yeah Alcaraz is Alcaraz and unique but he takes notes and elements from all the big 3. It just out of the 3 he’s more like Fed.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Just stop it. Mugsetti has zero slice. Against Djoker he was helpless on that backhand side. Djoker just abused the backhand. Absolute zero threat to Djoker and his slice was brutal. Mugsetti never had a chance with that one hand backhand vs Djoker. He had zero ability to hit it down the line or hit a winner off the backhand wing.

It was like watching an old Fed match vs Djoker or Rafa.

... wait.
Lol, he hit a couple of backhand down the line winners. I didn't say his game was as effective as Federer's; just that it looks like and reminds me of Federer's.
 

tudwell

G.O.A.T.
Alcaraz plays nothing like Federer. I'm shocked that anyone would think otherwise. His game is most similar to that of Djokovic if you have to choose one of the big 3. Then Nadal, though that's a stretch too. Nothing at all like Federer. Some of these comments are nuts. Maybe Federer was his inspiration as a youngster but their games are absolutely nothing alike.
It depends on what exactly you're comparing. Alcaraz takes many more risks earlier in rallies than either Nadal or Djokovic (barring some matches in the last couple years where he knows he needs to go big early against younger, fitter baseliners – his normal game throughout his career has been much more measured). That's similar to Federer. Fed at his best wanted to keep his opponent from getting into a rhythm. He did that in part with his excellent serve, which Alcaraz lacks, but Carlos has other tools to end points early and keep his opponents guessing (the dropper, for example). While the exact tools differ, the Swiss and the young Spaniard definitely share a much more aggressive game plan than Djokovic or Nadal, who put much greater stock in sheer smothering consistency.

On the other hand, his lightning speed and explosive groundstroke mechanics are much more similar to Nadal. Nadal wasn't all brute force by any means, but he had more raw strength than either of the other guys in the Big 3, and that gave him excellent pace and spin even when on the full stretch. Federer and Djokovic were – relatively – more about taking the ball early and stealing time with positioning rather than power and spin, and Djokovic in particular has always enjoyed redirecting his opponent's pace more than producing his own (not to say he can't, of course). Alcaraz's preferred return position of... well, way back is very Nadal-like. Even the lack of a consistently great serve is more similar to Nadal than either of the other two.

The only thing in Alcaraz's game that strikes me as more similar to Djokovic than the other two is the backhand, which he likes to take early, hits fairly flat, and is good at redirecting up the line.
 

Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
Musetti plays the most like Federer of any player on tour. You can tell he idolized him. Even has a really good slice and reminds me of Roger's.

Yup

Just stop it. Mugsetti has zero slice. Against Djoker he was helpless on that backhand side. Djoker just abused the backhand. Absolute zero threat to Djoker and his slice was brutal. Mugsetti never had a chance with that one hand backhand vs Djoker. He had zero ability to hit it down the line or hit a winner off the backhand wing.

It was like watching an old Fed match vs Djoker or Rafa.

... wait.

Yeah you have a real irrational hatred of this guy. Wondering why. He hasn't done enough

You seem like the kind of person to say "eye-talians" to be deliberately insulting
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
It depends on what exactly you're comparing. Alcaraz takes many more risks earlier in rallies than either Nadal or Djokovic (barring some matches in the last couple years where he knows he needs to go big early against younger, fitter baseliners – his normal game throughout his career has been much more measured). That's similar to Federer. Fed at his best wanted to keep his opponent from getting into a rhythm. He did that in part with his excellent serve, which Alcaraz lacks, but Carlos has other tools to end points early and keep his opponents guessing (the dropper, for example). While the exact tools differ, the Swiss and the young Spaniard definitely share a much more aggressive game plan than Djokovic or Nadal, who put much greater stock in sheer smothering consistency.

On the other hand, his lightning speed and explosive groundstroke mechanics are much more similar to Nadal. Nadal wasn't all brute force by any means, but he had more raw strength than either of the other guys in the Big 3, and that gave him excellent pace and spin even when on the full stretch. Federer and Djokovic were – relatively – more about taking the ball early and stealing time with positioning rather than power and spin, and Djokovic in particular has always enjoyed redirecting his opponent's pace more than producing his own (not to say he can't, of course). Alcaraz's preferred return position of... well, way back is very Nadal-like. Even the lack of a consistently great serve is more similar to Nadal than either of the other two.

The only thing in Alcaraz's game that strikes me as more similar to Djokovic than the other two is the backhand, which he likes to take early, hits fairly flat, and is good at redirecting up the line.
His game is more of a combo of Nadal and Djokovic's than Federer's imo. The only thing I see in him that's like Federer is his natural instincts and transitions into the net. The dude is a natural in that aspect like Federer and that just can't be taught. He is more aggressive on average than Djokovic and Nadal so I guess you can say that's like Federer, and maybe his forehand looks more similar to Federer's than theirs but that's about it imo.

Everything else in his game reminds me of Nadal and Djokovic. The way he moves on the court reminds me of Nadal as well as his footwork, and the way he positions himself on the baseline and takes the ball early off both wings reminds me of Djokovic. His sliding backhand on that left leg where he can go crosscourt or down the line is 100% Djokovic.

As for the bolded, I read this often from tennis fans and I don't understand this. Djokovic is more than capable of fighting fire with fire. You don't win all he has by counterpunching. Djokovic has often caught Alcaraz out there and was hitting his forehand on average harder than Alcaraz (Madrid and RG, and probably ATP Finals). It just doesn't look like he is because he doesn't muscle the ball like Alcaraz. Djokovic's strokes are all about mechanics and wrist action, and he's one the of the best with that kind of action. Nobody likes to go forehand to forehand too long against him (maybe they do now since the injury and him not moving as well to that side) because of that and his ability to absorb pace and hit it back deep and with aggression.
 

nolefam_2024

Bionic Poster
His game is more of a combo of Nadal and Djokovic's than Federer's imo. The only thing I see in him that's like Federer is his natural instincts and transitions into the net. The dude is a natural in that aspect like Federer and that just can't be taught. He is more aggressive on average than Djokovic and Nadal so I guess you can say that's like Federer, and maybe his forehand looks more similar to Federer's than theirs but that's about it imo.

Everything else in his game reminds me of Nadal and Djokovic. The way he moves on the court reminds me of Nadal as well as his footwork, and the way he positions himself on the baseline and takes the ball early off both wings reminds me of Djokovic. His sliding backhand on that left leg where he can go crosscourt or down the line is 100% Djokovic.

As for the bolded, I read this often from tennis fans and I don't understand this. Djokovic is more than capable of fighting fire with fire. You don't win all he has by counterpunching. Djokovic has often caught Alcaraz out there and was hitting his forehand on average harder than Alcaraz (Madrid and RG, and probably ATP Finals). It just doesn't look like he is because he doesn't muscle the ball like Alcaraz. Djokovic's strokes are all about mechanics and wrist action, and he's one the of the best with that kind of action. Nobody likes to go forehand to forehand too long against him (maybe they do now since the injury and him not moving as well to that side) because of that and his ability to absorb pace and hit it back deep and with aggression.
Just based on instinct give this dude most similarity to fed is low class move.
 

tudwell

G.O.A.T.
His game is more of a combo of Nadal and Djokovic's than Federer's imo. The only thing I see in him that's like Federer is his natural instincts and transitions into the net. The dude is a natural in that aspect like Federer and that just can't be taught. He is more aggressive on average than Djokovic and Nadal so I guess you can say that's like Federer, and maybe his forehand looks more similar to Federer's than theirs but that's about it imo.

Everything else in his game reminds me of Nadal and Djokovic. The way he moves on the court reminds me of Nadal as well as his footwork, and the way he positions himself on the baseline and takes the ball early off both wings reminds me of Djokovic. His sliding backhand on that left leg where he can go crosscourt or down the line is 100% Djokovic.

As for the bolded, I read this often from tennis fans and I don't understand this. Djokovic is more than capable of fighting fire with fire. You don't win all he has by counterpunching. Djokovic has often caught Alcaraz out there and was hitting his forehand on average harder than Alcaraz (Madrid and RG, and probably ATP Finals). It just doesn't look like he is because he doesn't muscle the ball like Alcaraz. Djokovic's strokes are all about mechanics and wrist action, and he's one the of the best with that kind of action. Nobody likes to go forehand to forehand too long against him (maybe they do now since the injury and him not moving as well to that side) because of that and his ability to absorb pace and hit it back deep and with aggression.
I don't really disagree with any of this. I think the thing that invites Federer comparisons is just their overall more aggressive approach to the game. They both are just so much quicker to go to higher-risk offensive tennis than Nadal and Djokovic were for the vast majority of their respective careers. The exact means of being aggressive vary greatly between the two. Even the forehand, a weapon of both, is different, with Fed a very early ball-striker and pin-point shot-maker while Alcaraz is a bit more raw pace (though still good shot-making instincts – just not on Federer's level yet, though I guess who is lol).

As for the last paragraph – it's all relative. I'm not saying Novak can't produce his own pace. Obviously he can or he wouldn't have gotten anywhere close to 24 slams. The last couple seasons in particular have shown just what he can do in that regard with the way he's brutalized the forehand in certain events (though that hasn't exactly been his go-to for most of his career). I think again it comes down to overall strategic intent. Djokovic beats people with high-margin aggression. Stuff that's high-margin for him, at least. He takes the ball early, hits with unparalleled depth and with pretty hefty pace (I wouldn't be surprised if his average forehand speed is higher than, say, Federer's in most matches) but by and large goes after pretty large targets – unless he's pushed well out of his comfort zone (or is just really feeling the ball that day), he's not going for too many out-of-the-blue line-clipping winners. Carlos on the other hand is far less likely to break down his opponent's game with standard rally forehands. He hits a heavier, loopier shot, doesn't take the ball as early, etc. Where Carlos really excels is sudden injections of pace and taking the point out of his opponent's hands with pure offense and power. Novak can do that if he really wants, but his usual intent is not to rely on such higher-variance, lower-margin plays. The way the two approach the game strikes me as rather different – whereas Sinner is almost a carbon copy of Djokovic in terms of overall tactical intent.
 

FeroBango

Legend
Why is this forum hesitant on listening to the actual bloody subjects of this discussion? Pretty funny ngl.
Fed himself called Alcaraz the most elegant of today's lot lmao.

Seeing as that's somehow a difference between the two going by this thread, our fellow fed fans will ask fed to stfu too I suppose.



Close this thread.
 

tennis_error

Professional
Federer was not razzle dazzle flashy at all, he was grace and efficient attacking tennis. Alcaraz is more Nadal-like than Federer.
Alkaraz is all round player, playing great at all surfaces, indoor, outdoor, heat, cold, name it... So nothing like Claydal...

To me Alkaraz is mix of all good or great stuff from big 3, and I really can't say to whom he resembles mostly...
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
I don't really disagree with any of this. I think the thing that invites Federer comparisons is just their overall more aggressive approach to the game. They both are just so much quicker to go to higher-risk offensive tennis than Nadal and Djokovic were for the vast majority of their respective careers. The exact means of being aggressive vary greatly between the two. Even the forehand, a weapon of both, is different, with Fed a very early ball-striker and pin-point shot-maker while Alcaraz is a bit more raw pace (though still good shot-making instincts – just not on Federer's level yet, though I guess who is lol).

As for the last paragraph – it's all relative. I'm not saying Novak can't produce his own pace. Obviously he can or he wouldn't have gotten anywhere close to 24 slams. The last couple seasons in particular have shown just what he can do in that regard with the way he's brutalized the forehand in certain events (though that hasn't exactly been his go-to for most of his career). I think again it comes down to overall strategic intent. Djokovic beats people with high-margin aggression. Stuff that's high-margin for him, at least. He takes the ball early, hits with unparalleled depth and with pretty hefty pace (I wouldn't be surprised if his average forehand speed is higher than, say, Federer's in most matches) but by and large goes after pretty large targets – unless he's pushed well out of his comfort zone (or is just really feeling the ball that day), he's not going for too many out-of-the-blue line-clipping winners. Carlos on the other hand is far less likely to break down his opponent's game with standard rally forehands. He hits a heavier, loopier shot, doesn't take the ball as early, etc. Where Carlos really excels is sudden injections of pace and taking the point out of his opponent's hands with pure offense and power. Novak can do that if he really wants, but his usual intent is not to rely on such higher-variance, lower-margin plays. The way the two approach the game strikes me as rather different – whereas Sinner is almost a carbon copy of Djokovic in terms of overall tactical intent.
A lot of good points in here. To me, I always thought that Djokovic saved the more aggressive forehand for the big dogs. Against players where he didn't think they could hurt him as much, he dialed it back. Then when he played Federer and Nadal, for example, he ramped it up. A good example is 2015 Wimbledon. He ramped his forehand acceleration way up for Federer in that final, something he was not doing as much in earlier rounds. He did it against Nadal at the ATP Cup as well. He was hitting his forehand like 84 mph on average in that match. So day in and day out, he doesn't do that so I guess that kind of underlines the point you were making.

As for Alcaraz, he is more high risk. He will blast it much earlier in rallies and go for the outright winner more than Novak, at least the Novak after 2008. Federer was like that at his best as well and was more aggressive earlier on that particular shot. So I think we mostly agree here.
 
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