John McEnroe believes that neither of the French Open finalists, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, will match the Grand Slam records of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam winner and icon of the game, was speaking during the build-up to the 2025 final at Roland Garros.
McEnroe was unable to capture a French Open title during his illustrious career. He came close in 1984, taking arch-rival Ivan Lendl five sets in the final before succumbing 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 5-7, 5-7. A semifinal the following year, and two quarterfinals, were the best that McEnroe managed on the dirt.
McEnroe appeared as a pundit on TNT Sports’ French Open final coverage and was asked to share his views on a range of subjects. The American believes that such has been the uplift in quality that Alcaraz and Sinner are playing better tennis than the big three. But he does not believe that they will surpass their Major title tallies. His comments were relayed by the TNT Sports account on X.
Trending
"Do I think they're going to reach 20, 22, and 24, either one of them, no, because I think that plateau is so high, it's almost impossible because there is more depth in the game, bigger hitters, more things happen."
Novak Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam titles, and isn't done yet. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are both now retired, having pocketed 22 and 20 Major titles, respectively.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have a long way to go to match the big three's achievements
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have split the last five Major championship titles between them. In 2024, Sinner won his first two Grand Slams at the Australian and US Open, while the Spaniard captured the Roland Garros and Wimbledon trophies.
Sinner then won the first Major of 2025 in Melbourne. The pair is matched in the French Open final of 2025. McEnroe is adamant that both players are playing better tennis in Paris than 14-time champion Rafael Nadal was capable of. He told TNT Sports:
"I'm saying Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz against Rafael Nadal on clay - he won this 14 times, it was like trying to beat Chris Evert in the 70s and 80s on clay, right, she won 120, 125 matches in a row on clay? You would make a serious argument for both guys that they would be favorites to beat Nadal, at his best."
Jannik Sinner is 23 years old, and Carlos Alcaraz has just turned 22. At this point in time, they appear to be far ahead of their biggest challengers and look set to share many Majors over the coming years. Whether they can surpass Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal will depend on the new talent that emerges over the next decade.
