The current tennis landscape is unmistakably defined by the brilliance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The two young stars have claimed all of the last seven Grand Slam titles between them, and their rivalry has taken center stage in the sport. However, according to top tennis commentator Barry Cowan, there are still players who could break this duopoly and threaten the next era of tennis dominance.
In a recent exclusive interview with Tennishead, Cowan named 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic as the most likely candidate to disrupt the Alcaraz-Sinner stranglehold on men’s tennis. Despite not winning a major in over a year, Djokovic’s consistency and legendary resilience continue to keep him in the conversation.
“Right now, I don’t see anyone knocking off Djokovic,” Cowan said. “Yes, he hasn’t been able to win the last seven majors, but he’s been right there. He’s made the semi-finals at all three Grand Slams this year, and that’s not something you just dismiss.”
At 38, Djokovic may be in the twilight of his career, but he remains a formidable presence. Earlier this year, he defeated Alcaraz at the Australian Open before losing in straight sets to Sinner at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Even in defeat, Djokovic has demonstrated the capacity to go toe-to-toe with the new generation.
“If Novak wins another major, that will be his 25th,” Cowan continued. “That would make him the most successful singles player ever, across both the men’s and women’s game. So you can never count him out.”
While Djokovic may still have a say in the ongoing battle at the top, Cowan also highlighted a group of rising talents who could shake things up in the near future. Names like Jakub Mensik, Jack Draper, and Joao Fonseca have all caught the attention of tennis fans and pundits alike.
“These are players who are still developing, and that’s exciting,” Cowan remarked. “Draper, Mensik, Fonseca — they’re all still on the rise. We don’t yet know what their ceiling could be. That’s what makes them so interesting.”
Draper, who has recently been sidelined by an arm injury, is expected to return for the US Open later this month. Mensik and Fonseca, both younger than 20, have made significant strides on the ATP Tour this season and represent the promise of the next generation.
Cowan stressed the importance of smaller tournaments, particularly ATP 500 and Masters 1000 events, as proving grounds for these players. “That next tier has to make their mark,” he said. “Toronto, for instance, is a big opportunity. You won’t have Djokovic, Alcaraz, or Sinner there. That opens the door for others to build some momentum ahead of Cincinnati and the US Open.”
The absence of the big three from the Canadian Open, coupled with Draper’s withdrawal, means there’s a clear path for emerging players to make a name for themselves. With the tennis world’s eyes turning to Cincinnati and New York soon after, every match now carries added weight.
Still, Cowan believes that to win a Slam, a player might have to beat two — or even all three — of Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic. “That’s an incredibly tough task,” he admitted. “Not just physically, but mentally. That’s why the players outside the top three still need to raise their level.”
Sinner’s maiden Wimbledon title and Alcaraz’s marathon French Open win over the Italian have further solidified their positions at the top. Their recent dominance in the Grand Slam finals suggests that the gap between them and the rest of the tour remains wide — for now.
But tennis history is full of surprises, and Cowan’s message is clear: the door is not entirely closed. Djokovic isn’t done yet, and there’s a crop of ambitious youngsters ready to rise. The Sinner-Alcaraz era may be in full swing, but challengers are looming. The second half of 2025 — and the US Open in particular — could offer the first signs of a shift in momentum.