The tennis world is on edge as World No. 1 Jannik Sinner gears up to face soon-to-be World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in what promises to be a thrilling Rome Open final. Both players have delivered stellar performances—Sinner making a strong comeback from suspension, and Alcaraz proving his dominance after skipping the Madrid Open. But according to Andre Agassi, one factor gives Alcaraz a notable edge over his Italian rival.
Speaking to Tennis Channel, Agassi highlighted Alcaraz‘s superior adaptability on slippery surfaces, such as clay and grass, as a significant advantage. “I look at it like Alcaraz’s upside on anything that is slippery is his chance to be a level or have an advantage over Sinner,” Agassi explained.
Agassi praised Alcaraz’s unmatched mobility, likening it to other quick players like Alex de Miñaur and Tommy Paul. “What impresses me so much about Alcaraz—and there’s a lot he can still improve—is that on slippery surfaces like grass or clay, his diminished speed diminishes less than other fast guys,” Agassi observed.
“You look at players like Tommy Paul or De Minaur, who are among the fastest, but on grass or clay, you notice their confidence and balance suffer. They can’t quite do as much,” he added.
Agassi’s analysis is backed by Alcaraz’s record. Nine of his 18 career titles have come on clay, including triumphs at Roland Garros, along with back-to-back Wimbledon wins in 2023 and 2024.
“[Alcaraz’s] balance is there, his movement is there,” Agassi noted. “His ability to move forward, cover drop shots, and his athleticism—it’s all exceptional. That’s largely due to the strength in his legs and the balance of his movement. On clay or grass, assuming he’s healthy, he has the edge”.
Sinner’s edge on hard courts
While Agassi acknowledged Alcaraz’s prowess on clay and grass, he believes Sinner has the upper hand on hard courts. The Italian’s dominance on this surface is evident, with titles at the 2024 US Open and the 2024 and 2025 Australian Open.
“When you look at a hard court, Sinner’s ability to get on top of those balls stands out,” Agassi noted. “Alcaraz generates so much action with his shots, but if Sinner can catch the ball before its full arc, he can use that energy to punish it”.
“Sinner punishes the ball every bit as much as Alcaraz but does so directionally, using the energy against him,” Agassi continued. “On hard surfaces, Sinner takes control, but when it comes to the French Open or Wimbledon, the slight drop in Alcaraz’s movement gives him the edge”.