“FANS CAN’T BELIEVE THIS!” — Roger Federer’s Shock Choice for the World’s Best Tennis Player Leaves Carlos Alcaraz Overlooked, Sparking Fury, Debate and Huge Reactions Across the Tennis World
Roger Federer has given his verdict on the rivalry between tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Federer won 20 singles majors in one of the most legendary careers tennis or any other individual sport has ever seen, and is well-positioned to analyse the differences between Alcaraz, Sinner, Alexander Zverev and the chasing pack in the men’s world rankings.
In an interview with Eurosport at the Laver Cup, the 45-year-old revealed which of the current crop he rates most highly.
Federer names the best player on the tour
“I would say it might even be Sinner, simply because of the absolute dominance he showed in the Masters 1000; he played brilliantly until he got injured,” said Federer, who went on to clarify that Alcaraz’s best level should give him the edge over his rival.
The Spanish player won his seventh Grand Slam title at this year’s Australian Open but, like Sinner, has been affected by injury in 2026.
Zverev claimed his first major at the French Open and followed up by winning the US Open, with Sinner retaining the Wimbledon title in between.
“We also know that, when Carlos is at his best, perhaps he is – and I would say he is – the best player on the tour; I think he knows that too,” said the hall of famer.
Sascha [Zverev] has finally reached where we all hoped he would one day be: a Grand Slam champion.”
“One could argue that if they faced each other right now, [Zverev] might have the upper hand, especially since Carlos is coming off an injury.
“So it’s debatable, but considering the season Sinner has had, I’d say he’s an incredibly tough opponent.”
Are Sinner and Alcaraz on the path to greatness?
Two Grand Slam titles have made 2026 a stellar year for Zverev but Alcaraz and Sinner are out in front when it comes to achieving top-level championship success.
Sinner is yet to win at Roland Garros but now has five majors to his name.
The Italian beat Zverev in the final at Wimbledon this year and in the Australian Open in 2025, but Alcaraz won two of the three finals between himself and Sinner last year.
Alcaraz has the edge in the head-to-head, winning 10 of his 17 matches against Sinner, though the overall titles tally tips Sinner, the older of the two, into the number one spot.
Sinner has 30 career titles, four more than both Alcaraz and Sinner. Federer ended his career with 103 and Novak Djokovic is just two behind him.
Djokovic (24), Rafael Nadal (22) and Federer (20) lead the way when it comes to Grand Slam titles.
The Serb, now 39, won the last of those majors when he was 36.
Sinner and Alcaraz have a long way to go to catch up, especially with neither being injury-free, but time is on their side.
