'Probably the top-10 was much stronger than now': Carlos Alcaraz sees more contenders in today’s game

Carlos Alcaraz believes that while the top-10 of previous decades "probably was stronger" than today's, but this is countered by a significant difference between the current top-30 and the rest of the players. The Spaniard highlighted that there are many more players now contending for major titles than in the past.

The 4-time Grand Slam champion is the defending trophy holder at Roland Garros and arrives on a hot streak with titles at the Monte-Carlo Masters and Rome Open. In the latter, he defeated Jannik Sinner in the final – which was the Italian's first tournament after his return to the courts.

Sinner's three months of inactivity due to a doping ban didn't cause major shifts at the top of the rankings. The Italian remained at world No. 1, and there were several surprises in the first part of the year, such as Jack Draper's Indian Wells title – when he was outside the top-15 – or Jakub Mensik at the Miami Open.

During Carlos Alcaraz's press conference, he was asked about the level of "leading players" and if he considers there to be a strong top-10.

The journalist asked: “With Jannik coming back from his ban and still being world #1, and then reaching the Rome final… I wonder what you think that says about the level of the leading players at the moment. Do you think it’s a strong top 10, top 20?”

"I think so. In general, the top 20, 25, 30... they have a really high level of tennis,” responded Alcaraz. “We could see right now with Mensik for example... He's 20, 21... he won Miami. That shows how strong the top 30 is right now," the 2024 French Open champion added.

"I saw Sascha talked about it, because probably, like 10 years ago, the top 10 was much stronger than now. Could be. But in general, the top 30 right now is really, really strong. Right now we have a really open draw. Everyone can make really good results or even win the tournament. I think that's really good for tennis."

The world No. 2 will debut in the first round this Sunday, May 25, against Italian Guido Zeppieri, following the last-minute withdrawal of former No. 4 Kei Nishikori.