Coach Serena Williams stated that Sinner is world number one in both serving and returning; Alcaraz must improve comprehensively to dominate the tennis world.

Recently, Serena Williams’ former coach, Mouratoglou, expressed pointed views about the current state of men’s tennis during an interview, which quickly ignited heated debates in the tennis world.

As widely recognized, the men’s tennis circuit is currently ruled by the “twin stars” Sinner and Alcaraz. Over the past two years, they have alternated holding top world rankings and have captured all Grand Slam titles since the 2024 Australian Open, creating a classic rivalry reminiscent of Federer and Nadal. Judging by their current momentum, this dual dominance may well continue for another three to five years.

Technically, Sinner is known for his consistent performance and agile movement, while Alcaraz attracts fans worldwide with his explosive style. This rivalry not only advances tennis techniques but also delivers countless thrilling matches for fans.

However, in the interview, Mouratoglou argued that although they appear evenly matched, Sinner clearly holds a unique competitive edge, which must be putting considerable pressure on Alcaraz. To monopolize the tennis world, Alcaraz must make comprehensive improvements to his game.

He specifically cited data: “Currently, Sinner ranks number one globally in both serving and returning. This is extremely rare. We have seen players excel in either serving or returning — like Federer’s serving advantage and Nadal or Djokovic’s returning strength — but never a player dominating both simultaneously. This is unprecedented in tennis history.”

Mouratoglou emphasized that this all-around ability allows Sinner to quickly gain an advantage in matches, shortening rallies and conserving energy.

Taking Alcaraz as an example, Mouratoglou suggested improvements: “If he wants to dominate the tennis world by 2026, he must enhance his serve, return, and the first two shots.”

He stressed that this view does not diminish Alcaraz’s talent but highlights that in elite competition, details determine victory or defeat. Mouratoglou believes Alcaraz has excellent movement and baseline skills, but his serve consistency and aggressive returning need improvement to face a comprehensive player like Sinner.

Mouratoglou’s analysis is quite reasonable. From the US Open to the year-end finals this year, Sinner has significantly increased his first serve success rate while maintaining precise placement, often scoring directly or creating easy return opportunities. More surprisingly, his return game has also improved; in the finals of the year-end championships, Sinner emphasized anticipation and quick reactions, a big change from earlier this year. Instead of passively returning from the baseline, he now attacks aggressively on the return, putting pressure on opponents.

In contrast, Alcaraz’s style still relies heavily on speed and power. Although he occasionally hits aces on serve, his consistency is lacking; on returns, he tends to take risky aggressive shots, resulting in more unforced errors. This difference is especially clear in their head-to-head matches, such as recent Wimbledon and year-end finals, where Sinner often controls the pace through his serving and returning superiority.

This topic has sparked lively debates on social media. Many fans expressed support for Sinner, with one commenting, “Sinner’s serve and return are simply unbeatable; he plays like a precise machine, amazing every match.” Meanwhile, some Alcaraz fans remain optimistic: “Alcaraz is still young; with improvements in serving and returning, he will surely surpass Sinner. His talent is undeniable!” Neutral observers also noted, “Mouratoglou’s comments hit the mark — modern tennis increasingly focuses on the first two shots. Alcaraz needs to evolve like Djokovic to stay competitive.”

Former world number one and commentator McEnroe also remarked on the show: “Mouratoglou’s analysis is spot on. Sinner’s serve-return combination is currently the most lethal weapon in tennis. Alcaraz has potential but must focus on refining technical details.”

Overall, Mouratoglou’s remarks not only highlight the key competition in men’s tennis today but also point out a growth path for Alcaraz. As 2026 approaches, fans look forward to seeing how these two young stars will continue to advance tennis through technical improvements and tactical adjustments. Regardless of the outcome, this high-level rivalry will surely inject fresh energy into the sport.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)