Sinner victory 'signals changing of the guard'

McENROE HAILS THRILLING NEW ERA

- Neil McLeman

JOHN MCENROE has declared "the official changing of the guard" after Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz between them won all four men's Grand Slams this year.

And Italian Sinner, the world No.1, welcomed the "new generation" taking over after decades of domination by the big three of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Australian Open champion Sinner, 23, became the youngest man to complete the calendar hard-court double by beating Taylor Fritz in the US Open final.

With Alcaraz, 21, winning Wimbledon and the French Open, it is the first time since 1993 year's that the four Majors have been won by players aged 23 or younger.