Boris Becker makes long-term Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner prediction as French Open looms - ‘I call him Djokovic 2.0’

Alcaraz withdrew from this year's Madrid Open due to a right wrist injury suffered during his first-round victory over Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open.

The Spaniard was also forced to miss the 2025 Madrid Open due to an injury he suffered in the Barcelona Open final.

Alcaraz recently saw his status as the world No. 1 disappear after losing to Sinner in the Monte-Carlo Masters final.

Sinner, meanwhile, has the chance to consolidate his place at the top should he triumph in Spain’s capital.

Speaking to Eurosport Spain, Becker suggested that Sinner’s shorter match durations reduce wear and tear on the body, potentially giving him an edge across a long career compared to his Spanish rival.

”It's true that Alcaraz is more often injured than Sinner because of his style. He has a different style than Sinner,” said Becker.

”I call him [Sinner] Djokovic 2.0, a similar style from the baseline, very consistent. That naturally saves you energy, and I think in the long term, that's very beneficial. He wins his matches quickly. Alcaraz often loses a set, has to go three hours. That takes a toll on his body."

Turning to Alcaraz’s latest injury setback, Becker said the Spaniard’s withdrawal from Madrid was a ”pity for the tournament”. However, he offered hope of success in the upcoming events, with the Italian Open and Roland-Garros - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - on the horizon.

"It reminds me of last year when Alcaraz also couldn't play here in Madrid and then went on to win Rome and Paris. So I wouldn't overestimate the injury, but I'm sure he wanted to play.

"I think I'm still positive. I think it's an injury. He would have wanted to finish in Barcelona.

"He's a very proud Spanish player, so he wants to play in front of his home fans. But injuries can happen. So I think he should take a good look at what he's done last year, how to recover and then be ready for Rome."

In a worrying development, Madrid Open director Feliciano Lopez recently raised fears that Alcaraz could miss the Italian Open in May.

Meanwhile, Becker was effusive in his assessment of Sinner’s current form, highlighting the Italian's impressive run of four consecutive Masters 1000 titles, including victories at the Paris Masters, the 'Sunshine Double' in America, and the Monte-Carlo Masters.

"Sinner is playing his best tennis right now. I haven't seen him ever as strong as currently," Becker said.

"Winning the 'Sunshine Double' and then going back to Europe on clay, winning Monte-Carlo and pretty much not losing his set is unbelievable.

"So he's in top form and I think, yes, it's possible for him to win in Madrid as well, especially since Alcaraz is out. He's on a different planet."

However, he refrained from speculating on how many titles Alcaraz and Sinner might win by the end of their careers, saying, "It is difficult to say. Both are still very young."

Like Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic also withdrew from the Madrid Open with injury as a lingering shoulder problem keeps him out of action.

The 38-year-old lost to Jack Draper in the fourth round at ​Indian Wells in March, before pulling out of the Miami Open and Monto-Carlo Masters.

With January's Australian Open final defeat to Alcaraz still fresh in his mind, Djokovic will be aiming to be fully fit for Roland-Garros, which begins on Monday, May 18.

And Becker is not prepared to count out Djokovic as he bids for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

"Look, he's got 24 Grand Slams, he was very close in Melbourne," said Becker.

"I think as long as Djokovic plays, he always has a chance to win a Grand Slam. I've heard he wants to play until the Olympics in California in 2028.

"But obviously, with each year passing, he's getting a bit older, and then it's getting a bit more difficult."

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TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to stream live on HBO Max.