Carlos Alcaraz is determined to keep pace with Jannik Sinner in every way, ensuring the Italian doesn’t pull further ahead in the rankings. Fresh off his ATP 500 title in Rotterdam, Alcaraz is looking to improve his game on hard courts, where Sinner has been particularly dominant. His first indoor hard-court triumph in the Netherlands marks a significant milestone, and the Spaniard is eager for more success. His next challenge awaits in Doha, Qatar, at the ATP 500 tournament scheduled for February 17-22.
According to Marca, Alcaraz has decided to take a complete break from tennis until then, opting not to touch his racket in order to fully recharge—a strategy that mirrors Sinner’s post-Melbourne approach. After his Australian Open victory, Sinner chose to relax, even turning down an invitation from Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale, instead enjoying a ski trip. Alcaraz has adopted a similar mindset, allowing himself a brief disconnect from the sport while still committing to the Doha tournament, ensuring he avoids excessive stress.
The Doha draw will feature Sinner (top seed) and Alcaraz (second seed), meaning the two can only meet in the final. Other notable contenders include Novak Djokovic, Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev, and Andrey Rublev, making for a star-studded field. With Sinner preparing from Monte Carlo, he remains focused on solidifying his world No. 1 ranking, a position he has now held for 36 consecutive weeks since his breakthrough at Roland Garros last year.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Nassar, executive director of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA)—an organization founded by Novak Djokovic during the pandemic—has spoken out in Sinner’s defense amid WADA’s intention to escalate the Clostebol case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
“The anti-doping system should focus on catching actual dopers—those who deliberately enhance performance through illegal substances,” Nassar stated.
“However, current testing thresholds and procedures lack structure. Instead, we are often dealing with minuscule traces of substances that have no real impact on performance. This is the beginning of a great injustice for many athletes.”
