In a blistering broadside that has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, former US President Donald Trump has taken aim at the sport's brightest young stars. Using his Truth Social platform, Trump launched an extraordinary critique of current World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.
The ex-Commander-in-Chief didn't mince his words, branding the Italian and Spanish sensations as "overrated" and lamenting what he perceives as a decline in the quality of modern tennis. His comments come just weeks before the final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open, is set to begin in New York.
A Blast From The Past
Trump's tirade revealed a strong sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of tennis greats. He passionately defended the legacies of Novak Djokovic and the injured Rafael Nadal, insisting that the current crop of top players "couldn't hold a candle" to the legendary figures of the recent past.
"It's just not the same quality we had with Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer in their prime," Trump declared, seemingly overlooking the fact that the 37-year-old Djokovic remains an active and dominant force on the tour.
Tennis Community Left Baffled
The tennis world has been left scratching its head at the unexpected intervention from the former President. Trump, who has owned and operated several high-profile golf courses and resorts, has historically been more associated with the fairways than the clay and grass courts of professional tennis.
His sudden interest in the technical merits of baseline rallies and net play has puzzled many insiders. The outburst appears to be part of a broader pattern of Trump commenting on sporting matters, having recently made controversial statements about basketball star Stephen Curry and American football.
Timing Raises Eyebrows
Some observers have noted the curious timing of Trump's tennis critique. The US Open, one of the most prestigious events in world sport, is scheduled to commence on August 26th at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows—just a short distance from Trump's native Queens.
The tournament represents a major moment in the New York sporting calendar, and Trump's comments have inevitably injected an unexpected dose of politics into the pre-event buildup.
As the tennis world digests this unexpected volley from one of America's most controversial figures, all eyes will be on how Sinner and Alcaraz respond to the criticism when they take to the court at Flushing Meadows later this month.
