Alcaraz is the magician, Sinner is the robot; the two are like the yin and yang fish in Tai Chi.

“Just like the yin and yang fish in the ancient Chinese Tai Chi symbol, one is white, the other black.” Former world No. 5 and Spanish tennis icon Robredo likened Alcaraz and Sinner to a duality of interdependent opposites.

Robredo’s profile on the ATP website notes that he is currently the tournament director for the Barcelona Open.

“The reason the greatest champions outperform others is their superior mental strength,” Robredo said. “They can raise their level at critical moments, which ultimately decides the outcome of matches. If you compare players ranked in the top 100 or top 200 worldwide, everyone can hit at a high level, but there are significant differences—mainly in the invisible psychological aspect.”

From Robredo’s perspective, resilience and focus during crucial moments clearly distinguish the “Sinca” duo from other players. Technically, although both possess outstanding talent, their gifts differ notably. “Yannik has excellent footwork; he always uses his body weight to hit forward and rarely misses. Even when forced to move extensively, he can still position himself well to execute impressive shots. If his opponent tries to disrupt his rhythm or change the pace, he adapts smoothly. He’s like a robot—always performing perfectly at the right moment.”

When discussing Alcaraz, Robredo said, “Carlos is clearly different from Yannik; he’s more like a magician. He does what needs to be done at the start, then adds his magic. He can produce a variety of technical combinations and prefers to handle opponents’ shots in the most challenging ways. It’s fantastic for fans to witness such contrasting styles competing.”

On specific technical aspects, Robredo commented, “Carlos’s leg work is incredible. He lowers his center of gravity deeply and pushes off the ground to generate massive power, while also rotating fully to create greater momentum. His forehand produces heavy topspin, making it tough for others to respond. Compared to Carlos’s heavy topspin, Yannik’s shots are flatter. Therefore, Carlos may have a slight edge on slower courts, while Sinner is more threatening on faster surfaces. Yet both can do almost everything—and do it exceptionally well.”

Robredo also analyzed the mental traits of the “Sinca” duo, believing Alcaraz has stronger psychological resilience and can stay calm under pressure.

“Carlos’s game involves more variety, which may give the impression that he’s not entirely calm or that he likes to take risks. He might seem distracted for a few minutes, but in reality, he always controls the match. You never know what he will do next; he can produce stunning shots at any moment. He’s like a magician—you can never guess what he will pull out from under the table next,” Robredo said.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Yun Juan Yun Shu)