Carlos Alcaraz is gearing up for a fierce comeback in the 2025 season after a year filled with intense competition. This time, he’s setting his sights on Grand Slam titles instead of smaller tournaments. The ATP landscape is heating up, especially with Jannik Sinner, who holds a 6-4 head-to-head advantage over Alcaraz, having ended 2024 as World No. 1. Despite Sinner’s success, Alcaraz is determined to reclaim his crown.

Currently, Alcaraz is participating in tennis exhibitions in the U.S. He’ll face Ben Shelton at Madison Square Garden on December 4th and then take on Frances Tiafoe at The Charlotte Invitational two days later. Ahead of these matches, he expressed confidence in a press conference, stating, “I’m sure I’ll be the Australian champion sooner or later. Let’s hope it happens this year.”

Carlos has already won four Grand Slam titles—two at Wimbledon, one at the U.S. Open and Roland Garros. The Australian Open remains elusive in his record. So this time, he aims to change that. However, he acknowledges the challenge posed by a host of competitive players vying for the same prize. Not to mention his history with Sinner adds an extra layer of excitement to their potential matchups. The two have competed three times in 2024, with Alcaraz taking the victory every time. But Sinner is still at the top of the rankings and has clinched eight total titles this season alone.

But seeing that the Spaniard is looking forward to the Australian Open. His biggest threat will be Jannik Sinner. Who made headlines as the 2024 Australian Open champion after defeating top players like Andrey Rublev and the 10 time Australian Open champ, Novak Djokovic. He clinched his first Grand Slam title by overcoming Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling five-set final. Meanwhile, Alcaraz’s journey ended in disappointment during the quarterfinals against Alexander Zverev, who subsequently claimed the No. 2 ranking after winning the Paris Masters.

Additionally, the competition intensifies with Djokovic also back in the mix. During the press conference, the Spaniard noted that Nole has found the “right coach” in Andy Murray. Their teamwork raised the stakes of the competition even higher given that Novak has 24 Grand Slams and Any brings in his unique analysis and perspective of the sport. This poses a threat as Alcaraz stated that it may feel like he’s competing not against just one legend, but two.

But Alcaraz is thinking ahead. The Spaniard hopes to prepare for his preseason training as soon as these exhibitions conclude. Whether he can dethrone Sinner as the Australian Open champion in 2025 is yet to be seen. Although the anticipation is undoubtedly palpable. Even Rick Macci is looking forward to their thrilling showdowns. As an ardent follower of their rivalry, he has shared numerous insights about their game.

Serena Williams’s childhood coach is all for the Sinner and Alcaraz matchups

The legendary American coach recently shared his insights on rising tennis stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz during an interview on the Instagram page for A Billion Dollar Mind: A Practical Guide to the Game of Life. Macci praised Sinner, calling him the “Italian Flamethrower,” noting his impressive groundstrokes and calm demeanor as the current World No. 1. However, he reserved high praise for Alcaraz, referring to him as “the Spanish Magician” and declaring, “I’ve never ever seen a player more complete than Carlos Alcaraz. There’s no holes in his game.”

At just 21 years old, the Spaniard has already clinched four Grand Slam titles, while 23-year-old Sinner has won two this season alone. Macci, who has coached numerous champions over his nearly five-decade career—including Venus and Serena Williams—believes both players are destined for greatness. He confidently stated in a previous interview, “I have no doubts they are going to have a bucket full [of Grand Slams]. Right now those are the two chosen ones.”

With Macci’s track record of accurate predictions, only time will tell how their rivalry will unfold in 2025. As both players continue to develop their skills and compete at the highest level, will they have more encounters and win more Grand Slam victories? Share your thoughts in the comments below.