Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are approaching the ranks of the Big Four for Top 10 dominance | ATP Tour

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Sinner and Alcaraz are approaching Four Hundred levels of Top 10 dominance

Read about this pair’s performance against the Top 10 in 2024

November 13, 2024

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz quickly established themselves at the top of the sport, and the main reason why is because of their performances against the best players in the world.

Entering a season, only four players since 2000 have achieved at least 13 wins against opponents ranked in the world’s Top 10 in a single season. The ‘big four’ celebrities are Novak Djokovic (10x), Roger Federer (10x), Rafael Nadal (4x) and Andy Murray (3x).

Sinner joined the elite group by achieving 14 Top 10 victories entering the final round-robin playoff at the Nitto ATP Finals. Alcaraz is one win away from adding his name to the elite list with Friday’s round robin clash against Alexander Zverev.

“It’s good to know that my confidence is up a little bit,” said Alcaraz, who smiled when told of his 12-4 record against the Top 10 this season.

Biggest Win vs. Top 10 (2024)

Not only did they achieve a number of Top 10s this year, but they did so with a history of success.

According to Infosys ATP Stats, Bjorn Borg holds the career record for winning percentage against the Top 10 at 71.1 percent. The Swede is the only qualified player on record with a winning percentage above 70 percent.

Alcaraz has won 75 percent of his Top 10 games this year (12-4) while Sinner has won 73.7 percent of his Top 10 games (14-5). According to Alcaraz, the key against being too good is to focus on playing “good tennis”.

“Obviously you play with top players, you tell yourself that you have to play your best tennis. Otherwise, you will lose against them. That helps a lot,” said Alcaraz. “Before a match with top players, be aware of what kind of game, what kind of shots you are going to play or hit. I think that’s it. In tennis, it is very important [is]the mental game, the way you talk to yourself before the game.”

The Spaniard explained how he puts himself in a different mindset to meet the challenge against the best opponents.

“If I’m going to play with a top player, I’ll repeat that I’m better,” said Alcaraz. “I will play my best, 100 percent just to beat them.”

Sinner’s top 10 move helped him climb to No. 1 in the PIF ATP rankings in June. Entering 2024, the Italian was 22-27 when facing an elite team. This year he is 14-5 and all five of his losses have been in the decider.

Sinner scored 2-0 at Ilie Nastase Group and Alcaraz drew 1-1 at John Newcombe Group as both try to reach the semi-finals at the Inalpi Arena. Their success throughout the week in Turin will depend on their efforts against the Top 10 representatives.