As the 2025 season comes to a close, the message from former world no. 3 Ivan Ljubicic is clear. The sport is living in a Jannik-Sinner-Carlos Alcaraz era, and it may stay that way for quite some time.
Roger Federer's ex coach and head of high-performance tennis at the French Tennis Federation believes the rest of the Tour is still far from mounting a true, lasting challenge.
Tennis always leaves room for sudden breakthroughs. However, Ljubicic sees a major difference between a flashy run and sustained excellence over an entire season. Jannik and Carlos are achieving that, and no one follows that pace.
The realm of consistency across an entire season, different surfaces and A-game at your service under the brightest lights is what separates contenders from pretenders. In that area, no one stands close to Jannik and Carlos.
The two great rivals will wrap up the season with over 11,000 ATP points each, leaving Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic and others deep in their shadow. In addition, Ljubicic points to a crucial advantage the two superstars share.
With 25 notable ATP titles by their name, nicely distributed, they have forged experience on the big stage far beyond their age. This spring, they already embraced one of the most extended Major finals at 23 and 22, and who knows whatfuture brings.
Since May, we have seen them in six big finals, including three consecutive Majors across all surfaces! Despite their age, they already know how to handle weeks of heavy expectations, the spotlight and the constant demand to deliver.
In fact, Carlos wrapped up his career-best season, while Jannik nearly mirrored what he achieved in 2024, especially after missing three months and four Masters 1000 events due to suspension.
Someone might match their athleticism or ball-striking ability in the future, Joao Fonseca for example. For Ljubicic, however, the experiential gap will remain a wall too high to climb in the near future.
No clear candidate yet has shown the durability or the mental presence required to challenge the great duo. If Ivan is right, tennis is heading toward a period shaped by two giants battling across the most notable courts.
The rest of the field will fight to keep pace with a rivalry for the ages, although they stand powerless at the moment.
"Someone might break through, but it will take time. When we talk about 'breaking through' at this level, we mean being consistently competitive, not just achieving a single result, but staying there for an entire year.
Jannik and Carlos have far more experience on the big stage than anyone else. So, even if someone were to get closer to them technically and physically, there would still be a gap in terms of experience.
Any potential 'third contender' still has to prove himself. In two or three years, honestly, I do not see anyone who can reach their level," Ivan Ljubicic said.
