Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry already at peak intensity: Woodbridge

With 16 Grand Slam titles, Olympic gold in doubles and a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon singles to his credit, Todd Woodbridge commands respect in the world of tennis. Excerpts from an interview...Carlos Alcaraz has split with coach Juan Ferrero...It’s going to make the start of the season more challenging for Alcaraz. He has one thing left to do in our sport, and that’s to win the Australian Open and achieve the career Grand Slam.Can the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry match the intensity of the Federer-Nadal and Nadal-Djokovic era?It’s already reached that intensity. What those two have been able to do has increased the level of tennis to something I didn’t think was possible for their age, and so early in their rivalry. They are playing a level that we only saw between Roger-Rafa, Novak-Roger and then Novak-Rafa. In terms of quality, they’re already there.Who can break the ‘Sincaraz’ hegemony?I’m excited about what Joao Fonseca can do. He’s a developing player that has enough to trouble Sinner and Alcaraz. He still needs another couple of years to grow.Is doubles popular like it was during your days?Not necessarily, but what we do see is, when you get the right people winning and the celebrations in the countries that they’re from, you do get that. You’ve got to get a nationality together, you’ve got to get the ‘Indian Express’, get the ‘Woodies’. Doubles is never going to be the pinnacle.Why don’t we see long-term doubles partnerships now?Modern partnerships don’t want to wait. They want to see the results instantly. And if it goes bad, they’re not prepared to work and change.What are your thoughts on revamped mixed-doubles format at 2025 US Open?It wasn’t the US Open championships. It was an exhibition event.(Watch Australian Open 2026 starting from Jan 18 live and exclusive on Sony Sports)