Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are just getting started in their professional careers, but there's already buzz about their rivalry possibly becoming the next big thing, like the legendary one between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. For now, Alcaraz seems to hold Sinner in high regard. He recently expressed his disagreement with tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who claimed Alcaraz was superior to Sinner.

"Jannik is the best right now," Alcaraz told reporters in Rotterdam on Sunday. "He’s only lost four or five matches in the past year, which is insane. People debate who’s better between us—some say Jannik, others say me. It’s all just talk."

Mouratoglou had previously stated that Alcaraz was the better player after he beat Sinner three times last year. “I don’t agree with what Mouratoglou said. Jannik has only lost 4 or 5 matches in a year; he’s consistent. In every tournament he enters, he either makes it to the final or wins it,” he added.

Alcaraz, who is 21 and ranked third in the world, clinched both the French Open and Wimbledon titles last year, sharing the Grand Slam victories with 23-year-old Sinner. The Spaniard also improved his head-to-head record against Sinner to 6-4, having won all three of their recent encounters. Sinner, on the other hand, had an impressive year, winning 73 out of 79 matches, including the U.S. Open and successfully defending his title at the Australian Open last month.

Alcaraz also expressed understanding for Sinner's decision to withdraw from the ATP tournament in Rotterdam. The Spaniard is set to kick off his campaign against Dutch wild card Botic van de Zandschulp, who previously defeated him in the second round at the U.S. Open in August.

“Sinner’s withdrawal? I totally get it. I know how tough it is to stay fit after a Grand Slam where you go all the way. It makes sense that he didn’t feel ready to jump into another tournament so soon,” Alcaraz said.

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