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BEST PLAYER NOW? JANNIK SINNER REPLACES CARLOS ALCARAZ AT ALTERNATIVE RANKING'S PEAK

UTR Ratings rank Jannik Sinner as the world's best player over ATP No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The system, based on recent form, offers a different view of the tennis hierarchy than official rankings.

Best Player Now?  Jannik Sinner Replaces Carlos Alcaraz At Alternative Ranking's Peak
Jannik Sinner Claims World No. 1 Status In New List

Despite Carlos Alcaraz finishing the 2025 season ranked as the number one player in the ATP Rankings, Jannik Sinner's position on the alternate list may not accurately capture the shifting dynamics at the pinnacle of men's tennis.

For the second consecutive year, the leading two players shared the four Grand Slam titles; Alcaraz triumphed over Sinner in the finals of the French Open and US Open, while Sinner claimed victory at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

The matchups between Alcaraz and Sinner are consistently intense, but the latest UTR Ratings indicate that Sinner should be recognised as the premier player in the world after ending the season on a strong note by defeating his biggest rival in the ATP Finals.

Alcaraz was affected by a hamstring injury during the latter stages of the match in Turin, but Sinner pressed on to secure the win and will be eager to dethrone the Spaniard in 2026.

As he is defending the maximum ranking points from his Australian Open victory last year, Sinner faces a challenge in overtaking Alcaraz in the early weeks of the New Year.

However, Sinner will have a strong chance to close the gap on Alcaraz since he won't have any ranking points to defend in March and April of next year due to his doping suspension in 2025.

His ascent to the top of the UTR Rating, which reflects current performance rather than a rolling 52-week ranking system, has provided him with renewed motivation.

The UTR list offers a more accurate depiction of current form among leading players compared to the official ATP or WTA Rankings, as victories over higher-ranked opponents carry more weight.

To promote fair competition within the global tennis community, the UTR Rankings emphasise recent performance based on results from the last several weeks and months rather than from up to a year prior.

All players, irrespective of age, gender, location, or skill level, are evaluated on a uniform scale ranging from 1.00 to 16.50 based on actual match outcomes.

The UTR Ranking system allows players of all levels to be included, and its approach provides an intriguing insight into the current performance of elite athletes. Consequently, even club players may find themselves on the same UTR Rating list alongside Alcaraz and Sinner.

Revised UTR Ratings  


1. Jannik Sinner 16.47  
2. Carlos Alcaraz 16.41  
3. Novak Djokovic 16.30  
4. Jack Draper 16.13  
5. Alexander Bublik 16.10  
6. Jiri Lehecka 16.03  
7. Lorenzo Musetti 16.02  
8. Alex De Minaur 16.01  
9. Felix Auger-Aliassime 16.01  
10. Taylor Fritz 15.98  

CARLOS ALCARAZ DISMISSES TONI NADAL PITCH TO RETURN TO PAST

Carlos Alcaraz disagrees with Toni Nadal's call to slow down tennis. The world number one argues you cannot go "against evolution," defending the modern game's speed and power as natural progress.

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Alcaraz Rallies Against Toni Nadal Speed Proposal Stand

Toni Nadal has sparked a renewed discussion regarding the direction of contemporary tennis. The renowned coach believes the sport might need to introduce a slower pace in order to safeguard players, reinstate tactical diversity, and lessen the emphasis on power.

Toni suggested a range of changes, such as utilising smaller rackets to help decrease ball velocity and opting for slower courts that encourage more strategic rallies instead of solely fast-paced exchanges. The escalating intensity of the game has pushed players to their limits and increased the risk of injuries.

Although Carlos Alcaraz, the current world number one, understands Nadal's perspective, he respectfully disagrees. The top players in the world expressed a clear stance against the notion that tennis should revert to a previous state.

Alcaraz views the shift from wooden rackets to modern graphite models and designs that favour speed as a natural evolution that cannot be undone. Going back on this journey would feel like disregarding the realities of the current game.

In Alcaraz's view, the present-day emphasis on speed and power is not an anomaly but rather an extension of an enduring trend. Even in the era of Rafa Nadal, a time Toni knows well, the game was already significantly faster than in earlier generations.

The advancements in technology and athleticism have further accelerated this evolution. The six-time major champion dismisses the idea of slowing down the game, emphasising the need for players to physically adapt, evolve their strategies, and embrace the current nature of the sport.

The world’s top player acknowledges the famous coach's worries but asserts that accepting the current tempo is vital for the sport and its identity. Therefore, Carlos sees no justification for reverting to outdated equipment or fundamentally changing court dynamics.

While Toni Nadal advocates for longevity, preservation, and careful adjustments, Alcaraz champions evolution, natural progress, and athleticism. The evolution of tennis will continue both now and into the future.

"To suggest such a change would be like taking a step backwards. Tennis began with wooden rackets, transitioned to metal and aluminium, and now we have various types that enable more spin. Previously, our shots were flatter, with more chop and less speed.

Over the years, during Rafa's era, we were already experiencing greater speed than in the past, and this trend has only intensified. We cannot resist evolution. We must be prepared physically for the pace of our game.

I would express that I disagree with Toni's proposal." Carlos Alcaraz stated.

MATTEO BERRETTINI GIVES ITALY CRUCIAL 1-0 LEAD IN DAVIS CUP

Matteo Berrettini wins his singles match, putting Italy one victory away from a third consecutive Davis Cup final. The defending champions beat Belgium in Bologna, spurred on by a home crowd.

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6-3, 6-4: Berrettini Folds Collignon To Lead Semifinal

With a dominant straight-set victory against Raphael Collignon of Belgium, Matteo Berrettini propelled two-time defending champions Italy to the verge of a third straight Davis Cup final.

With the support of a fervent, sold-out 10,000 spectators in Bologna, Berrettini overcame Collignon's resistance in the second set to win 6-3, 6-4.

If Flavio Cobolli defeats Zizou Bergs in his singles match, Italy would become the first country to advance to three consecutive Davis Cup finals since Australia in 2001.

Italy is aiming to become the first country to win three straight Davis Cup titles in 53 years, even if the country's top two men's singles players—world number two Jannik Sinner and eighth-ranked Lorenzo Musetti—are not there.

In Sunday's final, the victor will play either Germany or Spain.

After winning the ATP Finals last week, Sinner, a vital player of the Italian team that won the previous two tournaments, decided to make the most of his recuperation during the sport's short six-week off-season.

Only one of the top ten men's players attended this year's event, which has sparked debate about the tournament's future structure.

However, both players discussed the honour of representing their country in the Finals after Berrettini and Cobolli excelled for Italy in their quarterfinal match against Austria.

After taking a 3-0 lead and securing an early break of serve, Berrettini continued to build momentum from his first straight-set victory.

After Collignon double-faulted twice in set two, the 56th-ranked former Wimbledon runner-up broke right away.

But Collignon's first chance to tie the score at 2-2 stalled his run to the finish, and two games later, Berrettini's spectacular cross-court forehand shut off another break point, denying the Belgian a fourth straight game.

However, after reestablishing himself with another break and winning his tenth straight singles match while representing his nation, Berrettini would not relinquish control of the match.

"Pressure is a privilege," Berrettini remarked after the game. I know I am under pressure, but you are playing in front of your nation, my entire family is present, and our team is made up of all of our closest friends.

For me, it is such a unique emotion. I eliminate my negative emotions and simply savour the present."

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