Tennis Roundup: Alcaraz’s Coaching ‘Error,’ Rybakina’s Pursuit Of World No. 1, And The Sinner-Djokovic Rivalry

Get the latest on Carlos Alcaraz’s coaching split, Elena Rybakina’s chase for world No. 1, and Boris Becker’s theory on Jannik Sinner’s 2026 dominance.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 3:47 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

Panatta Labels Alcaraz’s Coaching Split An ‘Error’

The tennis world continues to react to the December separation of Carlos Alcaraz and his long-time coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. Adriano Panatta, the 1976 French Open champion, has publicly characterized the move as a mistake driven by youthful ambition. Panatta suggested that at 22, Alcaraz may have underestimated the value of Ferrero’s demanding but expert guidance. Despite Alcaraz winning the Australian Open following the split, subsequent injury struggles and inconsistent results have led Panatta to suggest that a reunion with Ferrero would be in the young Spaniard's best interest.

Rybakina Targets Sabalenka’s Top Ranking

In the WTA circuit, the battle for world number one is intensifying. Following Elena Rybakina’s victory at the Stuttgart Open, the points gap between her and Aryna Sabalenka has narrowed significantly. Former world number one Andy Roddick noted that Rybakina is now "firmly in the conversation" for the top spot. Roddick highlighted that Rybakina’s newfound consistency over the first five months of 2026 makes her a legitimate threat to Sabalenka’s "throne," adding a compelling narrative layer to the upcoming tournaments in Madrid and Rome.

Del Potro Discusses The Big Three Legacy

In an exclusive interview with Tennis365, Juan Martin del Potro offered a seasoned perspective on how the new generation compares to Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. While acknowledging that Alcaraz and Sinner are playing "magnificent tennis" on all surfaces, del Potro stated he cannot yet place them on the same level as his former rivals. However, he admitted that because the current field is more "open," the young duo has a unique opportunity to achieve the staggering numbers once thought to be reserved exclusively for the Big Three.