Carlos Alcaraz understands why people are hoping for more of an edge in what is a friendly rivalry with Jannik Sinner.Alcaraz and Sinner have shared the three Grand Slam titles between them this year, with Sinner most recently prevailing in four sets at the Wimbledon final.There does not appear to be an ounce of hostility between the pair, in contrast to the kind of beef seen between some of their predecessors, including Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe.
He said: “Trash-talking gets a lot of attention. People really like the idea that there is friction between us. That’s what sells, but although tennis is an individual sport, we are with the same players every week, day in and day out.
“Jannik and I, who have had great battles on the court, see each other a lot off of it. We talk, we train together sometimes. And in the end, you forge a good relationship, a beautiful relationship.
“We want to win and beat each other, but then off court, being good people and getting along is another matter. For me, that is one of the virtues and values of sport.”
Wimbledon highlights: Sinner defeats Alcaraz in thrilling final to claim maiden title
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Alcaraz was denied the chance to win Wimbledon for a third consecutive year after beating Novak Djokovic in both the 2023 and 2024 finals.
Attention now turns to the final Grand Slam of the calendar year at the US Open, with Sinner heading to Flushing Meadows as defending champion.
Reflecting more on Wimbledon, Alcaraz continued: “I thoroughly enjoyed competing at Wimbledon again. It’s a special place. I look forward to coming back next year, but after recharging the batteries, the work starts for the forthcoming US Open swing.”
He also highlighted how his rivalry with Sinner is driving him onto new heights in a post-match press conference, adding: “This rivalry [with Sinner] is coming better and better, and I’m really grateful for that because it gives me the opportunity to give my 100% in every practice, every day just to be better. Because the level I have to maintain just to beat Jannik is really high.”
Kyrgios hails ‘first of many Wimbledon titles’ for Sinner
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‘No obligation’ to emulate Djokovic, Federer, Nadal
Alcaraz and Sinner appear to have taken the mantle from Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but the Spaniard admits it would be foolish to become preoccupied with such comparisons.
“Tennis has always had great rivalries and great players,” he explained.
“It’s a privilege that people look at our games that way, with such enthusiasm, but in the end we have no obligation to do what they have done, far from it. If you don’t stay strong in your ideals, in what you want, that pressure can eat you.
“You have to know how to differentiate. We try not to think about any pressure and least of all about doing what they did.”
The top shots from an extraordinary Roland-Garros final
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‘At no time did I doubt’ French Open comeback
While Sinner may have come out on top at Wimbledon, Alcaraz triumphed at Roland-Garros in arguably the most memorable clash between the pair to date.
“I simply thought about coming back little by little: one point, then another point, then another point, especially those three points,” he said.
“Closing a Grand Slam is very, very difficult, so I knew that I would have chances. That’s why I stayed calm. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for him.”
“It was a bit of the image I wanted to give as well. At no time did I doubt that I could come back, but obviously, you have to show an image of self-confidence at all times. As soon as you show weakness to the other, that’s it – you are lost.”
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