What's next for Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner? | The Big T podcast, DROP SHOT EDITION

The best drop shots come when you least expect them—except on The Big T. Tennis Channel’s signature podcast releases new episodes each Wednesday, but when moments demand immediate reaction—with the same unparalleled insight—we break out a Drop Shot Edition.

🚨 Our latest emergency pod, featuring Paul Annacone, Brad Gilbert and Coco Vandeweghe, tackles Jannik Sinner’s impressive win over Carlos Alcaraz in Monte Carlo.

🤝 Sinner and Alcaraz are trying to get what the other has

“Sinner has to create more variety while retaining his shot-selection discipline,” says Annacone, “and Alcaraz has to do the exact opposite. He has to create more shot-selection discipline, while retaining his variety.”

Call this another measure of respect that each superstar has for the other. After Sinner’s 7-6 (5), 6-3 win on Sunday—making the Italian only the second player ever to win Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo in the same season—Alcaraz lauded his opponent. He did so when they met at the net, during the trophy ceremony, and in press. But he also does so in how he tries to play.

The same can be said for Sinner, though. And for the moment, he has the upper hand.

👉 Listen at the 4:15 mark for Annacone’s thoughts on this, and reaction from the panel.

🆚 “Sincaraz” isn’t Roger vs. Rafa, or Novak vs. either—it’s more like this rivalry

Both Annacone and Gilbert have coached legendary players. And for a time, they coached against each other—when Andre Agassi, with Gilbert, took on Pete Sampras, with Annacone.

(With those respective coaches, Sampras led Agassi, 13-8.)

Annacone recalled one tournament where, after Pete played Andre, Sampras’ second-serve speed was six MPH faster than during the rest of the event.

“I said, why is that? And [Pete] said, well, it’s really simple—because against Andre, I have to.

In a way, Andre just liberated Pete’s strength.

Like Sampras, Sinner served brilliantly to win a big final. (Gilbert also compared Sinner to Roger Federer, another “dime server.”) You can chalk that up to Sinner’s natural ability, but also the pressure Alcaraz is applying—forcing Jannik to respond.

The personalities of the two titans also recall the fire-and-ice dichotomy of the demonstrative Agassi, and the stoic Sampras.

“Other than the game style,” says Annacone, “Alcaraz is a little bit like Agassi, and Sinner is a lot like Sampras … that’s what makes the rivalry fascinating. Different individuals and fan bases that love them both.”

👉 READ MORE: Jannik Sinner found his serve and forehand just when he needed them, and beat Carlos Alcaraz—and the wind—in a tactical tug of war

🤔 Where does Carlitos go from here?

He's won the past two majors, but is Alcaraz feeling a bit of heat after Sinner's scintillating run?

“It seems like he’s slipping in this rivalry,” says Vandeweghe.

Sinner has now won their last two meetings to improve his record against Alcaraz to 7-10.

But while changing something might be a reflex response to this result, Gilbert warns against trying to contain Carlitos...except, perhaps, in this particular matchup.

“If you keep him to script, maybe just for Sinner, it might help a little bit,” says Gilbert, but “I think the flair and unpredictability is what totally makes him dangerous. You can’t take that away from him, and that natural entertainer that he is.”

👉 Listen to the full episode for more of the panel's thoughts on this remarkable rivalry that's just getting started.

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