Barry Cowan has attempted to identify which male tennis players might soon disrupt the supremacy of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Their dominance on the ATP circuit has been a hot topic in recent months, with their grip appearing to strengthen.
Alcaraz and Sinner have collectively claimed the last seven Grand Slam titles and have faced off in the last two major finals.
It’s essential to note that legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal once occupied a similar position to that of Alcaraz and Sinner, until Novak Djokovic emerged to challenge their reign.
In an exclusive interview with Tennishead, Cowan speculated on which rising stars might follow Djokovic’s path in shaking up the current hierarchy.
Barry Cowan predicts potential challengers to Alcaraz and Sinner
When asked about potential disruptors to the current dominance in men’s tennis, Cowan had difficulty pinpointing a standout candidate.
Given that Alcaraz and Sinner are currently the best in the world, it seems unlikely that anyone will challenge that status in the near future.
| Year | Event | Winner | Finalist |
| 2025 | Wimbledon | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz |
| 2025 | French Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner |
| 2025 | Australian Open | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev |
| 2024 | US Open | Jannik Sinner | Taylor Fritz |
| 2024 | Wimbledon | Carlos Alcaraz | Novak Djokovic |
| 2024 | French Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Alexander Zverev |
| 2024 | Australian Open | Jannik Sinner | Daniil Medvedev |
However, Cowan did mention a few names: “At this moment, I don’t see anyone beating Djokovic. While he hasn’t clinched the last seven majors, which have been dominated by Sinner and Alcaraz, I wouldn’t count him out. With 24 Grand Slam titles to his name and semi-final appearances at all three majors this year, he remains a threat. Currently, to win a major, players might need to surpass the trio of Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic, which is extremely challenging both physically and mentally.”
He also noted that younger players such as Jack Draper, Jakub Mensik, and Joao Fonseca are rising stars. “Draper is definitely one to watch, and Fonseca could be a bright future star, but their time may still be off,” he said.
Ben Shelton is on the verge of Grand Slam success
Cowan highlighted American player Ben Shelton, expressing confidence in his potential to win a Grand Slam. Shelton excels under pressure in Grand Slams, having reached two semi-finals and two quarter-finals in just three years on tour.
Despite some inconsistency throughout the year, Shelton possesses a unique left-handed game style, making him a formidable opponent. Cowan believes that a breakthrough is imminent for Shelton in disrupting Alcaraz and Sinner’s Grand Slam dominance.
