Former world No 3 Ivan Ljubicic believes that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be the “points of reference” for other players on the ATP Tour in the coming years.
Ljubicic declared “we are waiting to understand” Novak Djokovic’s status given his start to the year, while assessing that Alcaraz and Sinner are “ahead of all the others.
Between them, Sinner and Alcaraz have won the three ‘big titles’ on offer so far in the 2024 season to reinforce their standing as the two leading young stars in men’s tennis.
Sinner claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and won his second ATP Masters 1000 event at the Miami Open last week. The 22-year-old Italian’s latest victory — his third title of the year — has seen him overtake Alcaraz to become the world No 2.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, ended his eight-month wait for a title by securing the Indian Wells Masters in March. Prior to winning the Masters 1000 crown, the 20-year-old Spaniard had lost the only final he had made since his triumph at Wimbledon in July last year.
Djokovic has not won a title since his victory at the ATP Finals in November at the end of his incredible 2023 campaign. The 36-year-old was beaten by Sinner in the last four at the Australian Open and fell to an upset defeat to Luca Nardi in the third round in Indian Wells.
