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'This is now the era of the Big Two' – Jim Courier crowns Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner as tennis’ new kings

Originally posted on TennisUpToDate.com | Last updated May 21, 2025 2:15 PM ET

Jim Courier believes a new era in tennis has begun, with the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz poised to dominate for years to come. The former world No. 1 sees both players as the undeniable favorites for the Roland Garros title and doubts anyone else can dethrone them.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, who will be a commentator for TNT Sports during the upcoming French Open, asserted there's a "big gap" between Sinner and Alcaraz and the rest of the Tour. He views them as the natural successors to the "Big-3" (or "Big-4") of the previous era.

Sinner and Alcaraz recently renewed their rivalry in the Rome Open final, where the Spaniard secured his fourth consecutive win against the Italian and clinched his seventh Masters 1000 title. This was Sinner's first tournament back after a three-month absence due to injury.

While Courier is confident both players have what it takes to dominate the Tour for many years, he acknowledges that health will be a crucial factor. "When you're so young so many things can happen, you know, they need to have their body feel good at all time. They need to stay healthy," Courier stated in a presser including TennisUpToDate.com. "But I mean how they're playing their best right now. It's hard to see who can beat them."

"We came out of the era of the big three, the big four and this is now the era of the new two for me. That's who these guys are. They won the last five majors. And they've clearly shown that there's separation there at the highest level, right?"

Courier noted how the clay-court season has solidified their positions. "You know, we were wondering at the start of this clay court season it certainly felt wide open because Sinner was still serving a suspension. Alcaraz had played at times brilliantly, but also inconsistently this season," Courier added. "The clay court seasons kind of shut that door, it seems like again."

He recalled how opportunities opened up for other players at the Madrid Open, without Sinner and Alcaraz's participation, but their return in Rome underscored the clear difference between them and the rest of the field. "Madrid was wide open with neither of them there. Then you have Casper come through and Jack Draper make the final, but then Rome they both show back up."

"And it's pretty clear that that there's a big gap between them and the rest of the field, at least on clay. Maybe on some other surface it’s tight, but I doubt it, so for me this is the new two. If they’re healthy, it looks like they’re gonna be dominant for a long time," he concluded.