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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominance sparks Ferrero’s call for fresh Grand Slam challengers

Originally posted on HITC | By Callum Davies | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 6:33 AM ET

Juan Carlos Ferrero has shared his thoughts on whether tennis needs a third player to challenge the dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

It’s a topic that’s been gaining traction within the sport, with many arguing that this growing rivalry is already starting to feel repetitive.

They’ve had some memorable clashes, but the fact remains no other man has won a major title in the last eight or even come close, which is hard to ignore.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have now met in the final of the last three Grand Slams as well.

Despite all the discussion around it, posing that question to Juan Carlos Ferrero still felt a bit out of place.

Carlos Alcaraz’s coach defends lack of third challenger to his Success

Before joining up with Alcaraz’s first team coaching staff this season, he was already one of Spain’s most renowned coaches. He won 16 ATP titles during his career, including Roland Garros in 2003. At the same time, he also reached World No. 1 on two separate occasions.

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The sheer volume of talent currently coming through makes it difficult for anyone to break through quickly enough to disrupt their hold on the sport right now. However, sooner or later somebody will manage it,”

Juan Carlos Ferrero on whether tennis needs another male challenger

“I think, if we have more players fighting for the big titles, I think it’s gonna be more entertaining. For us, it’s gonna be worse, because we have to mix the tournaments.

“But yeah, it’s always welcome, you know, all the players that rise and play at a high level, and I think people will. I think people learn from these kinds of matches. They know where the level is and where they have to go.

“So for sure they’re gonna try.” Last month John McEnroe named an American he believes could pose a threat to both Alcaraz and Sinner.

Alcaraz and Sinner’s stronghold on the Grand Slams

It wasn’t that long ago that people were genuinely worried about what would happen to men’s tennis after the Big Three faded away.

And yet, here we are again, with another set of dominant figures leading the sport.

Tennis tends to go in cycles like this, so it’s likely only a matter of time before a new group rises up to challenge them.

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But right now, it’s been two full years since anyone other than Alcaraz or Sinner has lifted a major trophy. Between them, they’ve split every Grand Slam title across 2024 and 2025.

And when you include Novak Djokovic into this stretch of dominance, the last player outside of that trio to win a major was Rafael Nadal back in 2022 before he retired.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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