Italy’s Jannik Sinner had an interesting revelation about his rivalry with Carlos Alcraz. Friends off the court, this talented duo has offered incredible on-court performances showing their talent to become Federer and Nadal’s successors. When the fraternity is smitten by them, Sinner drops a bomb, highlighting how his improvement was often driven by the fierceness of his opponent, Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner has delved deeper into playing against his opponent, Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard defeated him in the 2024 China Open finals. Following this victory, ATP number two made a hat-trick in beating his Italian opponent. Despite losing a break lead in the first and third sets, Alcaraz battled with a 0/3 lead in the final set tiebreak for his victory. His performance was so impressive that the spectators understood he wouldn’t go home without the trophy that day. However, Alcaraz’s opponent was equally great. Former Swedish number one Mats Wilander believed Sinner and Alcaraz’s fight was even better than the rivalry of the Tennis Big Three.

However, Sinner had an interesting revelation about the rivalry. He believed Alcaraz’s intense fight inspired him to improvise and do better in the sport. “I wake up in the morning trying to understand how to beat Alcaraz. I feel like—at least talking from my side—he pushes me to do better. I wake up in the morning trying to understand what I can do better trying to beat him next time, which is something nice for me as a player,” Sinner said. The ATP number one further exclaimed happily about their friendship: “It’s nice that we are rivals on the court and then friends off the court.”

Sinner: I wake up in the morning trying to understand how to beat Alcaraz.
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The Italians praised their on-court rivalry. Referring to their personalities as ice and fire, Sinner complimented Alcaraz, saying, “He is the one who brings the firepower.” “It also shows that everyone is different. I believe that I have to take something from him as a player, trying some different shots sometimes, which I feel like makes me grow as a player,” said ATP number one.

Jannik Sinner’s statement highlighted that he was genuinely afraid of Alcaraz’s brilliance. However, that fear drives his passion for maintaining his form, and that’s why the Italian found his rivalry with the Spaniard so important for his career.

On the other hand, Alcaraz had an interesting revelation about his victory. While acknowledging Sinner’s brilliance, he revealed his confidence about winning the tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz revealed he never “lost hope” about the 204 China Open

The Spaniard had a disappointing run at the 2024 US Open. He left the tournament after Botic van de Zandschulp defeated her in the second round. He returned to Beijing after the Laver Cup and offered a great performance. Post-victory, he said, “I never lost hope. Honestly, I knew [when I started it] that every tiebreak Jannik plays is almost to his side. I thought that in the third set, I’m not going to lie, 3-love down, two mini breaks for him. So I didn’t lose hope, but I thought, ‘Okay, I have to give everything that I have just to try to give myself the opportunity to be close.” Alcaraz’s statement highlighted his confidence and strive for victory.

Despite clinching the 2024 China Open title, Alcaraz couldn’t help but focus on his luck too. “During the whole week I’ve been playing great tennis. Probably sometimes the luck went to my side a little bit in the matches. But in general, I feel great on court; I feel great off the court as well with my team,” he concluded.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s rivalry has brought one-of-a-kind experiences for the viewers. With sheer hard work and resilience, the Italian and the Spaniard players created an aura that the fraternity believes their rivalry would reach heights like Federer and Nadal’s in the future. Do you think Alcaraz and Sinner have that potential?