Why a 24-Year-Old Italian New Career Golden Masters Champion Is Now One of Tennis Greatest Ever

Jannik Sinner is the most impressive player in this modern era of tennis. Until recently, the only other player vying for that spot was Carlos Alcaraz. The two have had a healthy rivalry for a few years now, and the conversation over who the better player is has never had a satisfying answer. Until earlier this year, when Alcaraz made a huge jump ahead, winning the Australian Open, completing his Career Grand Slam, and being the youngest to do it at 22 years old. This was a historic win for Alcaraz. Since then, the 24-year-old Sinner has taken the main stage. In the early 2026 season, he had won every Masters 1000 Tournament he played in, recently becoming one of two players in history to win every single one, completing a Career Golden Masters by winning the 2026 Italian Open. He is also the youngest to do so ever. 

Alcaraz, on the other hand, has been out due to injury and lost his rematch with Sinner this year. It's safe to say that the best player in the ATP right now is the 24-year-old. The next argument is about how Sinner stacks up against the other best players in history. Out of the 15 major titles in tennis, including an Olympic Gold Medal, an ATP Tour Final, all four Grand Slams, all nine Masters 1000, the 24-year-old has one, but not all, but two. The only ones he has left to win are at the Olympics and Roland Garros, all by the age of 24. At this age, this is better than both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic and on par with Rafael Nadal.

Sinner is also the heavy favorite to win Roland Garros this year, as Alcaraz is still injured and the rest of the field is so far below his weight class. The Italian Open also pushes the 24-year-old into the same win rate as Federer, putting him into a league reserved for a few in the sport. Sinner is young and has a long road ahead of him as a player. With the trajectory he's shown this year, there's no question that he will go down as one of the greatest to ever do it. Many would argue that he's already there.