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Boris Becker compares his past rivalries to the ongoing competition between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Both players have been dominant in tennis, with Alcaraz winning the Australian Open and Qatar Open, and Sinner achieving success with the Sunshine Double and a title in Monte Carlo.
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Becker compares his old rivalry to Alcaraz and Sinner’s ongoing battle
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have continued to set the pace at the top of tennis through 2026.
Alcaraz started the year by winning both the Australian Open and the Qatar Open, while Sinner followed up with an impressive Sunshine Double and a title in Monte Carlo.
Sinner looks to have taken an early advantage during the clay court swing, especially after Alcaraz picked up an injury at the Barcelona Open.
Speaking to TennisWorldUSA, he said: “Yes, I can see some similarities between my duels with Edberg and Alcaraz vs. Sinner. Both pairings involve two exceptionally talented players who push each other to greater heights.”
“It’s always exciting for fans when there’s a healthy competition between players who respect each other but are also determined to come out on top,” he added.
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During his playing days, Becker faced plenty of top names, but it was his showdowns with Ivan Lendl that left the biggest mark on his career.
He sees a bit of himself and Lendl in the way Alcaraz and Sinner are going at it now.
Speaking to Firstpost, Becker said: “Sinner and Alcaraz are like ice and fire, like the relationship between Lendl and me.”
Their contrasting approaches made for some memorable Grand Slam finals during the 1980s and 90s.
Lendl was cool and calculated, a bit like Sinner is today, while Becker played with more emotion—similar to how Alcaraz carries himself on court.
Becker continued: “I find Alcaraz a fascinating player. He’s exactly what tennis needs. He’s charismatic, a joy to watch, a true artist of the game. I don’t see any weaknesses in him.
In 2026, Carlos Alcaraz won the Australian Open and the Qatar Open, while Jannik Sinner achieved the Sunshine Double and a title in Monte Carlo.
Boris Becker compared his own past rivalries to the ongoing battle between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been leading the tennis scene in 2026, with multiple titles and strong performances.

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“But artists need a source of inspiration, and I think Sinner is his. Because if the matches become too easy for him, I’m afraid he’ll start to get bored. But he’s only 22, and the sky’s the limit.”
Lendl finished with eight Grand Slam titles to his name, while Becker retired with six majors from his playing days.
Alcaraz holds the edge in their overall record despite dropping his last two matches to Sinner.
Since their first meeting at the Paris Masters in 2021, Alcaraz has come out on top in 10 of their 17 clashes.
Four of those wins came in Grand Slam matches, twice each at Roland Garros and the US Open.
Sinner has picked up seven victories, including four finals – most notably at Wimbledon and the ATP Finals last year.
Their last eight meetings have all been finals, with Alcaraz ahead 5-3 over that stretch. It’s a rivalry that continues to deliver high-stakes tennis every time they meet.
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