Credit: Shaun Botterill/Julian Finney via Getty Images

John Isner names who’ll hit 25 Grand Slam titles first: Djokovic, Alcaraz, or Sinner

Originally posted on HITC | By Cameron Greenlees | Last updated Sep 27, 2025 11:47 AM ET

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are starting to put together careers that could one day stand alongside the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, at least when it comes to Grand Slam numbers.

With a second straight year of splitting all four majors between them now complete, their hold on the top of the game only seems to be strengthening. Alcaraz’s win brought him level with Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg at six Grand Slams.

Sinner now has four majors in total, including this year’s Wimbledon title. He was the first from his country to win singles there.

Ex-US players predict who will reach 25 Grand Slams first

The top two-ranked players look set to dominate men’s tennis for the foreseeable future, and former American star Steve Johnson thinks they will finish with more majors than Djokovic.

When asked in an episode of ‘Nothing Major’ to pick who he thinks will reach 25th Grand Slam titles first, Johnson said: “I think it’s Carlos. I am taking Carlos, then Sinner, then Novak. That is terrifying to say!”

Sam Querrey agreed: “I’m taking Carlos too. But, yeah, no disrespect to Novak.”

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Jack Sock added: “I think I am the same exact lineup. I think Carlos and Sinner is like 50/50 for me, and then Novak is third on that, which is scary to say.”

John Isner weighed in as well: “I keep going back. I was Team Sinner before the US Open, and now after the US Open, I’m Team Alcaraz.

“It could flip! But Novak said it, he said that it’s hard late in the Slam to beat these two players in particular in three out of five. He fell short at Roland Garros, the US Open and Australia in the semifinals.”

What it would take for Novak Djokovic to win another Grand Slam

Djokovic has admitted he struggles to keep up with Sinner and Alcaraz in five-set matches later in Grand Slams.

Still, he remains the clear third-best player in the world, as shown by his wins over Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros and Taylor Fritz at the US Open.

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

If Djokovic is going to add another major title before calling time on his career, he may need someone else to knock out either Sinner or Alcaraz early in a tournament.

If that path opens up, without facing one of the top two players, the 24-time Grand Slam winner still has what it takes to reach 25 titles.

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

More must-reads: