Mental toughness - Alcaraz v Sinner

[NYTennisfan]

If you take into account the Djokovic that Alcaraz beat in the 2024 Wimbledon final, I wonder why you don't do the same with the Djokovic that Sinner beat in the AO 24 semifinals when his aura was still alive.

But above all, take into account the Sinner that Alcaraz beat at the 2022 US Open, a player who had not yet won a major title, never reached a slam semifinal, and never entered the top 5.

Do you think it is more relevant to beat the Sinner of the 2022 US Open than the Zverev of the last Australian Open or the Medvedev of the 2024 US Open?

And in any case, Sinner's record in finals (19-5) is currently superior to that of Alcaraz (17-5).

That 2022 Sinner is better than the likes of De Minaur, Draper (who was sick in that match), Fritz, Shelton and a shell of what Medvedev used to be.

Even you as a Sinner fan must admit that he hasn't been tested by the very best in these last two slams. Not his fault that Alcaraz and Djokovic lost before reaching him but these guys he's been beating haven't put up much resistance or forced him to dig deep. He also went 0-3 against Alcaraz in their last 3 matches, his main rival.

Not trying to take away from Sinner, he's been the best player in the world over the last 6 months or so especially but his mental strength hasn't really been tested.

 

[nolefam_2024]

That 2022 Sinner is better than the likes of De Minaur, Draper (who was sick in that match), Fritz, Shelton and a shell of what Medvedev used to be.

Even you as a Sinner fan must admit that he hasn't been tested by the very best in these last two slams. Not his fault that Alcaraz and Djokovic lost before reaching him but these guys he's been beating haven't put up much resistance or forced him to dig deep. He also went 0-3 against Alcaraz in their last 3 matches, his main rival.

Not trying to take away from Sinner, he's been the best player in the world over the last 6 months or so especially but his mental strength hasn't really been tested.

Djokovic is quickly declining force now. When he wins he will get credit but if he loses , it's no big deal at all.

Last year was very disjointed with Djokovic completely falling out and raz playing well just in patches. Hopefully this year will be better from raz but I don't expect Djokovic to do better than 2024.

 

[NYTennisfan]

Djokovic is quickly declining force now. When he wins he will get credit but if he loses , it's no big deal at all.

Last year was very disjointed with Djokovic completely falling out and raz playing well just in patches. Hopefully this year will be better from raz but I don't expect Djokovic to do better than 2024.

That's true but he can still elevate to a high level occasionally, something nobody from this generation outside of Sinner and Alcaraz, and Medvedev from a few years ago has proven to do.

 

[Winner Sinner]

That 2022 Sinner is better than the likes of De Minaur, Draper (who was sick in that match), Fritz, Shelton and a shell of what Medvedev used to be.

Even you as a Sinner fan must admit that he hasn't been tested by the very best in these last two slams. Not his fault that Alcaraz and Djokovic lost before reaching him but these guys he's been beating haven't put up much resistance or forced him to dig deep. He also went 0-3 against Alcaraz in their last 3 matches, his main rival.

Not trying to take away from Sinner, he's been the best player in the world over the last 6 months or so especially but his mental strength hasn't really been tested.

This is without a doubt.
It is no coincidence that Sinner is on an open streak of 21 consecutive sets won against the top 10.
He is dominating and for this reason on hard it is difficult to fully explore his mental strength at this stage.

I disputed those points of yours, if you include Djokovic from the 2024 Wimbledon final as a probative test for Alcaraz, then you must do the same with the Djokovic that Sinner beat at the 2024 Australian Open, or not take into consideration both of those two versions of Djokovic.

Having said that, will you also agree that if in the last period the mental strength of Sinner has not been fully explored, instead it has happened for Alcaraz with quite contrasting results?

But above all do not forget what it means to dominate the circuit constantly having the sword of Damocles of the case of positivity hanging over your head.
That kind of stress is not comparable to what is imposed on the field by your strongest rivals, but in some ways it is even worse.
His solidity has been constantly tested in this respect, considering that I don't know how many players in his place would have been able to handle it as if it were nothing.

 

[Winner Sinner]

A mentally solid player, one with this high tolerance for his own unforced errors?

Let's not look for excuses even where there can't be any.
Very often his errors are dictated not only by the risk of his style of play but also by the frustration of someone who can't solve the Rubik's cube imposed by the opponent.
Alcaraz is a player who is too impulsive, an attitude that doesn't pay off in tennis if you want to maintain a certain standard of performance.