Former top-10 player warns of void of talent behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz seems like the best tennis player on the planet. He might not be ranked No. 1 currently, though that could change by the end of the year. He has won the last two Grand Slam events and he is the back-to-back champion at Wimbledon. In his best form, he likely could beat any other player if they are also playing their best.

Jannik Sinner is No. 1 right now, but that was because he had a great run at the end of 2023 and then began the year by winning the Australian Open. He is a great player, but he doesn't appear to have the raw ability of a healthy Alcaraz. The Italian has a fantastic record against the rest of the ATP tour in 2024 as he is 42-2. Against the Spaniard, he is 0-2.

Men's tennis has had a couple of great ears. One was in the 1970s when John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and Bjorn Borg were fighting for major titles. Another was this century when Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal were trying to defeat one another for Grand Slam trophies. When men's tennis is at its best, there aren't just two great players, but a third as well.

If one former top-10 player is correct, tennis is in trouble after Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

According to former top-10 player (and former Olympic champion) Marc Rosset, tennis is a long way from adding an established third to Alcaraz and Sinner. In fact, Rosset told L'Equipe recently that there isn't just little talent behind the Spaniard and the Italian, but an "abysmal void." That might be a bit harsh because there do seem to be some good players around the age of 20 or a little less, but how good they can be is not yet known.

Ben Shelton is 21 and ranked 14. Holger Rune is 21 and ranked 17, but the Dane seems to be struggling with form already and might never come close to matching Alcaraz and Sinner. 20-year-old Arthur Fils might be very good but he hasn't yet gotten a splash victory.

Rosset could very well be correct, but tennis fans should hope he is not. For tennis to keep growing its audience, the sport on the men's side needs more than two great players. Hopefully, a third will emerge from the formless void soon.

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