At 19 no one played like that, not even Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer – Jannik Sinner’s coach Simone Vagnozzi on Carlos Alcaraz

Jannik Sinner’s coach Simone Vagnozzi has claimed that at 19, no one played like Carlos Alcaraz, not even any member of the Big three – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz has been hogging the spotlight in the last couple of seasons for his impressive play.

The Spaniard won the 2022 US Open but unfortunately could not take part in the Australia Open 2023 due to a leg injury. However, Alcaraz made a fantastic return to the tour, winning the Argentina Open and finishing as a runner-up at the Rio Open.

Subsequently, he won the Indian Wells by beating Daniil Medvedev in the final and reclaimed his numero uno position in the ATP Pepperstone rankings.

“We’re talking about a phenomenon. At 19 no one played like that, not even those we call sacred monsters like Djokovic, Rafa or Federer. No one had the completeness that he has at 19,” Simone Vagnozzi said in the an interview with UBITennis.

“If you watch an Alcaraz match when he was 15, you see that he could do more or less all the things he does even now: play the drop shot, comes to the net, serves and volleys, similar to what happens now, so it is a path that is completing over time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have so far shared a great rivalry with each other and they are touted as the two next superstars of the game. Alcaraz recently defeated Sinner in the semifinal of the BNP Paribas Open in straight sets, improving his ATP H2H to 3-2 against the Italian. Vagnozzi admitted Alcaraz is currently ahead of his pupil.

“We must consider that he comes from more important experiences, he has won a Grand Slam, and three Masters 1000, so even if he is younger he is probably more ready to play certain games. Alcaraz is ahead at the moment, but if we get to play against him we can play it,” he said.

Sinner and Alcaraz could once again meet in the semifinal of the ongoing Miami Open.