Yardbarker
x
Are tennis players the best athletes in the world?
Jannik Sinner of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain pose together at the trophy presentation after the men’s singles final on day 15 at Roland Garros Stadium. Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

Are tennis players the best athletes in the world?

Not too long ago, tennis was seen as more of a hobby than a sport — an elitist pursuit for the privileged few. That reputation was reinforced by the belief that tennis players weren't as athletic as basketball or football players, who endure a physical toll on a nightly basis.

The arrival of explosive athletes like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams helped change that perception. Skeptics began to recognize that although tennis lacks physical contact, it subjects players to a test of endurance and mental resilience that epitomizes the highest level of competition.

Look no further than the events at Court Philippe-Chatrier this past Sunday. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner battled for five hours and 29 minutes, marking the longest French Open final ever and the fifth-longest match at any major in the Open Era.  

That marathon of a match prompted former World No. 1 Andy Roddick to make a tall claim on his podcast. 

"I think tennis players are the best athletes in the world," he declared. "Five hours and 40-something minutes on the biggest stages, you compare this to other sports — an NBA game is 48 minutes played in air conditioning, where you have teammates, halftime and timeouts. To say one thing doesn't mean you're throwing shade at someone else. I'm celebrating and applauding one set of athletes. [Tennis] is the most complete examination of an athlete that I can think of."

Roddick acknowledged that his peers were once considered "soft" and played a "country-club sport," but that narrative no longer exists thanks to the exemplary athleticism displayed by Alcaraz and Co. 

"I don't know how you can watch and not say the athleticism on display is otherworldly," he added.

Indeed. It was nothing short of "otherworldly" to watch Alcaraz produce a backhanded winner to force a tiebreaker in the fifth set after battling for five hours in tricky Paris weather. The Spaniard also saved three match points in the fourth set, becoming the third man in the Open Era to save a championship point en route to a grand-slam title. 

All in all, Alcaraz and Sinner combined for 1,433 ground strokes, culminating in the Spaniard hitting four winners during the fifth-set tiebreaker, including a screaming forehand down the line that left the Italian in both shock and awe. The quality of shot-making aside, the conditioning levels demonstrated by both men firmly established them as two of the best athletes in the world, in any sport. 

Roddick's comments are sure to create a stir, but it's hard to argue with his assessment. Modern tennis players are operating at a different level.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!