Tennis legend Todd Woodbridge, a winner of 16 Grand Slam doubles titles and an Olympic gold medalist, has shared his expert views on some of the most pressing topics in the sport today. In an exclusive interview, the Australian great discussed Carlos Alcaraz's recent coaching change, the thrilling rivalry between Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the declining culture in doubles tennis, and India's lofty ambitions for the 2036 Olympics.
Alcaraz's Australian Open Quest and the 'Sincaraz' Era
Carlos Alcaraz's decision to part ways with coach Juan Ferrero is a significant development as the young Spaniard heads into the new season. Woodbridge believes this move will make the start of the year more challenging for the Wimbledon and US Open champion. He pinpointed one major goal remaining for Alcaraz: winning the Australian Open to complete a career Grand Slam.
When asked if the budding Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry could ever match the legendary duels of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, Woodbridge was emphatic. "It's already reached that intensity," he stated. He expressed amazement at the quality of tennis produced by the two young stars, noting they have elevated the game to a level he didn't think was possible for their age and so early in their competitive history. According to Woodbridge, in terms of pure quality, they are already playing at the stratospheric level seen in the iconic Federer-Nadal and Djokovic rivalries.
The Future of Doubles and a New Challenger
On the question of who might eventually challenge the 'Sincaraz' dominance at the top of men's tennis, Woodbridge named a rising talent. He expressed excitement about the potential of Brazilian youngster Joao Fonseca, whom he believes has the game to trouble both Sinner and Alcaraz. However, he cautioned that Fonseca likely needs another couple of years of development to reach that elite tier consistently.
The conversation then shifted to doubles, Woodbridge's own domain of expertise. He acknowledged that doubles does not enjoy the same peak popularity as during his era with Mark Woodforde, famously known as 'The Woodies'. However, he highlighted that its appeal surges when successful pairs from specific nations, like the legendary 'Indian Express' duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, capture the public imagination. He candidly admitted that doubles will never be the pinnacle of the sport but can create memorable moments.
Woodbridge attributed the lack of long-term doubles partnerships today to a modern impatience for instant results. "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," he observed, contrasting it with the dedicated, long-term approach of successful pairs from the past.
Olympic Dreams and Exhibition Events
Commenting on the broader sports landscape, Woodbridge touched upon BCCI Secretary Jay Shah's blueprint for India to win more than eight medals at the 2036 Olympics. While not delving deep into specifics, the mention underscores the growing ambition for Indian sports on the global stage.
Finally, when asked about the revamped mixed-doubles format trialed at the 2025 US Open, Woodbridge was quick to clarify its status. He pointed out that it was not an official part of the championships but rather an exhibition event, separating it from the traditional Grand Slam competition.
The Australian Open 2026 is scheduled to begin on January 18 and will be broadcast live and exclusively on Sony Sports networks in India.
