By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, June 12, 2025
Hall of Famer and TNT analyst John McEnroe on why Alcaraz vs. Sinner will rock tennis history as the Beatles and Stones changed rock music.
Photo credit: Antoine Couvercelle/ROLEX
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner rocked Roland Garros in a virtuoso duel—and record-setting French Open final.
World No. 2 Alcaraz fought off three championship points, battled back from a two-set deficit for the first time in his life and out-dueled world No. 1 Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) to successfully defend his Roland Garros title in a dazzling and epic final.
The longest French Open final in history was a five hour, 29-minute thrill ride that will go down as a match for the ages.
Hall of Famer John McEnroe called the match for TNT and envisions the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry having a transformative tennis impact similar to the way the Beatles and Rolling Stones changed rock music.
Speaking to Gaia Piccardi of Italian publication Corriere Della Sera, McEnroe said Alcaraz-Sinner will create a crescendo of clashes—and an iconic rivalry.
“It's like choosing between the Beatles and the Stones, who do you prefer? I loved Led Zeppelin,” McEnroe told . “The Stones were unpredictable but sometimes the Beatles were better. We are talking about groups that, like Jannik and Carlos in tennis, have marked history."
Prior to the start of Roland Garros, McEnroe met the media in a TNT Zoom call to promote the network’s French Open coverage. McEnroe said Alcaraz was “the most talented 22-year-old I’ve seen on the tennis court” and later declared the five-time Grand Slam champion “one of the top five best athletes I’ve ever seen on a tennis court.”
In his new interview with talian publication Corriere Della Sera, McEnroe said Alcaraz is the most charismatic and electrifying player in tennis, but believes Sinner sustains his high notes longer than the Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner—and regards the world No. 1 as the best pure ball striker in the sport.
“Personality is not easily built, I say this from experience: you are born into it. Alcaraz also has charisma, which is why their matches are so electric,” McEnroe said. “Both have elements of uniqueness. Carlos is the most talented young man I've ever seen holding a racket, Jannik is not far away.
"Alcaraz is brighter, Sinner is more consistent.”
Amateur rock guitarist McEnroe, who knows all about amping up the volume on court, said the screaming sound of the ball off Sinner’s string hits you like a profound power chord.
“I am struck by the sound of Jannik's ball: I have never heard something like this,” said McEnroe, who faced his share of big hitters including Boris Becker, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl.
One of a handful of champions to hold the world No. 1 ranking in singles and doubles simultaneously, McEnroe said while rankings show Alcaraz is world No. 2, he is the most entertaining player in the world.
The former Wimbledon champion gives Alcaraz another title: McEnroe says the Spaniard is the only current player he would pay money to watch play.
“I hope [coaches Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez] never ruin [Alcaraz’s sometime daredevil style], with its ups and downs,” McEnroe said. “Alcaraz knows how to get into trouble and get out of it with disarming ease.
"Carlos is the best gift that the post-Big Three generation could give us. And he is the only tennis player for whom I would pay the ticket."