At the 2025 US Open, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner addressed his high-profile rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz, emphasizing a clear distinction between their on-court competition and off-court friendship. After his fourth-round victory over Alexander Bublik on August 31, 2025, Sinner responded to a question about what fans, particularly kids, can learn from their rivalry. His candid remark, “Of course we are enemies when we step on the court,” captured headlines, but he quickly clarified, “We try to play our best tennis but it ends there you know, after the handshake everything is fine again.” He stressed their “good friendship off the court,” noting that it’s possible to compete fiercely while maintaining respect and camaraderie outside the game. Sinner’s comments, reported by *EssentiallySports* and *ProFootballNetwork*, highlight a rivalry defined by intensity but grounded in mutual admiration.[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/atp-tennis-news-jannik-sinner-draws-line-on-carlos-alcaraz-rivalry-at-us-open-we-are-enemies/)[](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/tennis/jannik-sinner-carlos-alcaraz-us-open-rivalry/)
Sinner and Alcaraz, aged 24 and 22 respectively, have emerged as the ATP’s premier duo, sharing the last seven Grand Slam titles—four for Sinner, three for Alcaraz. Their 2025 clashes, including Alcaraz’s epic French Open final win and Sinner’s Wimbledon triumph, underscore the stakes, with Alcaraz leading their head-to-head 9-5. At the US Open, both players have been dominant, with Alcaraz not dropping a set through four rounds, including a 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4 win over Arthur Rinderknech, and Sinner advancing past Bublik to reach the quarterfinals. Their paths could lead to a blockbuster final on September 7, 2025, as fans anticipate another chapter in what’s been dubbed the “Sincaraz” rivalry.[]
Sinner’s “enemies” comment reflects the competitive fire when they face off, but both players emphasize their bond. Alcaraz, in a *Financial Times* interview, echoed Sinner’s sentiments, saying, “We want to win and beat each other, but off court, being good people and getting along is another matter.” They’ve trained together and even dined before the US Open, as noted in an X post. Sinner’s earlier remarks after his 2022 US Open loss to Alcaraz, a five-hour epic, highlighted how their rivalry has evolved from youthful shot-making to tactical, mental battles.
This dynamic—fierce on-court “enemies” but genuine friends off it—sets their rivalry apart from the Big Three era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. As Alcaraz chases his sixth major and Sinner defends his 2024 US Open title, their respect-fueled competition continues to captivate, proving tennis thrives on rivalries that balance intensity with sportsmanship.
