PARIS : Carlos Alcaraz expects the battle for supremacy in men’s tennis to extend beyond himself and Jannik Sinner next year, with Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton among the players he believes can challenge for the biggest titles in 2027.
Alcaraz and Sinner shared the four Grand Slam titles in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but injuries to the leading pair opened the door for other contenders this year, with Zverev winning the French Open and U.S. Open.
Shelton also strengthened his credentials by reaching his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open, prompting Alcaraz to predict a more competitive landscape at the top of the men’s game.
“Pre-season is really important,” Alcaraz told reporters after winning the Vienna Open on Sunday.
“I can tell you that players are taking pre-season really seriously, those weeks of training hard to be in good shape.”
The Spaniard praised Zverev’s performances and said the German had demonstrated his ability to compete for the biggest prizes.
“Sascha (Zverev) showed us what he’s capable of doing. The best player of this year. He deserves to be there. Let’s see if he’s going to continue to do the great things he’s been doing this year in 2027,” Alcaraz said.
He also backed Shelton to build on his breakthrough season, describing the American as ambitious and eager to achieve more.
“Shelton reached his first Grand Slam final and I think he’s ambitious and hungry for more next year,” Alcaraz said.
“A couple of others also playing great and they’re going to try to practice at their best to be at their best next year.
“I don’t like to say it’s going to be Jannik and me and the rest. Let’s see who’s going to be there. I’m pretty sure that a lot of players are going to show up.”
Alcaraz won his seventh Grand Slam title at the Australian Open before a wrist injury sidelined him for more than four months.
Since returning at the U.S. Open, the Spaniard has won titles in Tokyo and Vienna, underlining his strong form ahead of the closing weeks of the season.
He will aim to maintain that momentum at this week’s Paris Masters before competing at the ATP Finals, which begin on November 15.
